Dissenters sayings the second part : published in their own words, for the information of the people : and dedicated to the Grand-jury of London, August 29, 1681 / by Roger L'Estrange.

Dissenters Sayings. The Second Part. Published in their own Words, FOR THE INFORMATION Of the People. And DEDICATED to the GRAND-JURY of LONDON, August 29. 1681.

By Roger L'Estrange.

LONDON, Printed for Ioanna Brome, at the Gun at the Westend of St. Pauls Church-yard, 1681.

To his Unknown Friends, the GRAND-JURY for LONDON, August 29. 1681, viz. Will. Whitehill, Fore-man, Henry Strode, Ioas Bateman, Tho. Shepherd, Ralph Cooke, Joseph Caril, Valentine Adams, Joseph Bowles, Anthony S •… oman, Andrew Boult, Theophilus Hawson, Maurice King, J •… . B •… ll, John Cutlo •… e, John Cowley, Jonathan Leigh, William Pendlebury Daniel Mercer. Gentlemen,

THE Kindness you have already shew'd to the Observator, I cannot but in Common Honesty take as done to my self, and I dare here assure ye, that what Obligations soever you shall hereafter lay upon L'Estrange, shall be acknowledg'd by the Observator.

You were pleased, on Wednesday the 31. of August last, at Justice-Hall, in the Old-Baily, to Present Nathaniel Thompson, Benjamin Took, and Joanna Brome, for Maliciously Printing and Publishing or causing to be Printed or Publish'd, three Scandalous and Seditious Papers and Libels, Entitled, 1. The Loyal Protestant, and True Domestick Intelligence: 2. Heraclitus: and 3. The Observator, tending to the Advancement and Introduction of Popery, and to the Suppression and Extirpation of the True Protestant Religion within his Majesties Realms and Dominions: And this Terrible Presentment was Usher'd into the World with this Preface, [We the Grand-Jury, Sworn to Enquire of Offences committed within the City of London, do upon our Oaths, Present, &c.

Now there are Three Quaeres (Gentlemen) which (if I durst be so bold) I would presume to offer ye upon this Prologue. First, Being Sworn to Enquire: Have you Impartially Enquir'd, or not? 2ly. If ye have Enquir'd, Are these Three Pamphlets all the Enormities that you have Discover'd upon that Enquiry? 3ly. What's become of all the Rest? for you are as well Sworn to Present, as to Enquire.

These are Quaeres that I have sometimes formerly mov'd; and the Answer was, That these Three Papers were thrown in your Porridg-dish. Now if ye stumbled upon 'em by Chance, where's your Enquiry upon Oath? Or if ye found any thing else, what's become of your Oath of Presentment? If ye had but taken me to your Assistance, I'de have carry'd 〈◊〉 where you should have 〈…〉 and Sedition; Pulpits, Cabals, and Coffee-houses of the same Cloth and colour. I'de have brought ye acquainted with the Voxes, Vindications, and the Black-Box men: A New Set of Jack Straws & Wa •… Tylers: (But where's Old Walworth with his Dagger?) I'de have shew'd ye Twenty New Schemes of Christianity, as well as of Policy; the Doctrine of the Insufficiency of Christs Death and Passion; of Deposing Kings; of Placing the Fountain of Power in the People; Scripture-Proofs for speaking Evil of Dignities: And in one word, the Scenes dispos'd, and the Stage fitted for the Second Part of the Tragedy of Muncer, and the Curtain ready to be drawn. I could have gotten ye a Key to the Soul-Saving-State-Confounding-Sheriffs Case, and let ye into the Mystery of that Incomprehensible Dispensation. It is a great Blessing to a Government, for men upon their Oaths, in the Administration of Publique Duties, to be Nicely and Casuistically Instructed in the Bounds and Measures of Swearing: And this is a Piece that cuts out Perjury from Damnation, to a hairs breadth; and will bring ye a True-Protestant Conscience within the very smell of Fire and Brimstone, and yet carry him off again as whole as a Fish, into his ready way to the Land of Promise. Now here would have been Enormitywork, e'en as much as ye could have turn'd you 〈◊〉 to. But what's all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 ? 〈…〉

Dick Janeway's Paper says that, First, He hath Wickedly and Maliciously Endeavour'd to Sow Dissention and Discord amongst Protestants, thereby to render them an easier prey unto their Common Enemies the Papists.

Pray Gentlemen, d'ye call this the Presentment of a Grand Jury, or a Final Verdict upon the Merits of the Cause, to say First, that a Man has done such a thing, and then to Pronounce that he did it with such an intention, or to such an end? But now to the Article.

So far has the Observator been from Labouring Dissention and Discord, that no man has more declar'd himself against it, or taken more pains to lay open the Moral Impossibility of Peace in the State according to this Constitution, without a strict Uniformity in the Church: But if you would have fix'd your Presentment aright upon this Head, you should have presented the Enemy in the Parable that Sow'd the Tares: And if you will but look into the Third Section of this Book, for your better satisfaction, you will find that the Dissention and Discord that you talk of, was Sow'd Forty years ago; and that what we see now, is only an After crop.

The Second Point is, Countenancing and Abetting the Villanous Contrivances of the Popish Conspirators, who have endeavoured to cast Fictitious Plots upon Protestants, thereby to make way for their own Hellish Plot to take effect.

That is to say, The Observator is in the Popish Plot. Why do ye not inform against him to the King and Council then, and say Where, and When, and How, and What? Why do ye not Name the Contrivances, and say who are the Conspirators? Or what if ye should set forth your Grievances in a Protestant Mercury, or get little Hancock to open your Case in one of his News-Letters? He'l do't for Pence a piece, and that's just Eighteen pence for his Reward. I do assure ye Gentlemen, I am in no other Contrivance then to do the Part of an English Protestant, a Loyal Subject, and an Honest man, towards the Upholding of the Government; and I was once within a Trifle of a Halter, for being in that Popish Conspiracy (as they call'd it once before) with the Late King: And if the same Word, and the same Humour be now taken up again, I am in just such another Plot.

The Third Charge is the Vilifying and bringing into the Disesteem of his Majesty, and the whole Nation, the Commons of England, when Assembled in Parliament, by Arraigning and Impudently Condemning their Proceedings.

You forget (my Masters) that Impudence is the Surname of the Greatest Phanatique in the Three Kingdoms; and that the Epithete, Villanous, fits him too as if it had been made for him. Therefore for the future, I would advise ye to put your Slanders 〈◊〉 better language. And now to the Accusation, The Observator does first defie ye to shew One Line in all his Writings that will bear the sence you have Impos'd upon't. And 2dly, The late Long Parliament which the Fanatiques have Loaden with so many Reproaches, had at least as many Good Patriots, Protestants, and Subjects in it, as any Parliament since. Nay, there is One of your Number (at least) who has said Positively that L'Estrange is a Papist, which is as False, as if Mr. Presenter had gap'd, and the Devil himself had spit in his mouth. But it is come to that pass now, that a man cannot speak a word in favour of the Ecclesiastical Order and Discipline, but it comes presently to be an Arraigning of the Commons in Parliament.

4. The Observator is Charged with Endeavouring to Render his Majesties Protestant Subjects in general, and more particularly those in this City, suspected to him by mis-representations of, and odious Reflexions upon their Legal proceedings in their Common-Halls, and Common-Councils; as also by False and Ignominious Reflexions upon some of their Magistrates; and by Arraigning the Integrity of Juries of this City, for bringing in Verdicts according to their Judgments and Consciences.

Be you your selves now the Iudges (my Masters) which are the rather to be Complaind of; Those that Defame the most Eminent of your Citizens, or those that Vindicate them: Those that make it a Crime to be Dutiful to the King and the Church; or those that Assert the Honour and Conscience of that Obedience? And this is the very Case betwixt those Seditious Scriblers, whom you have not touch'd at all, and the Observator. And which is yet more Remarkable; After all your seeming Fierceness against Popery, ye have not so much as Presented one single Papist. What ye mean by odious Reflexions upon your Common-Halls and Common-Councils I cannot Imagine, unless it be that some Notice has been taken of the Freedom of a Gentleman that said he knew before-hand, London was to be Burnt, and had several Checks (as is reported) from the Court it self for't. If that be the Point, I shall take the freedom to tell ye, that it is wonder'd at to this day, that it was never put home to him, how he came to the knowledge of it. And though I am not Conscious of any one Disrespectful thought toward this Famous City in my whole Life; saving in the Late Rebellion, when the Fanatique Rabble had torn the Government of it to pieces by the same Methods that are now Prescrib'd and Practic'd over again by Hundreds of Enflaming Libels; yet if such a thing had been, I do not know how your Common-Halls, and Common-Councils come to be more Sacred than the Debates of the House of Commons, and of his Majesties Privy Council; which are daily abus'd by Malicious Forgeries; by Contemptuous and Defamatory Reflexions without Controll: Provided only that the Misrepresentation be made on the Right side; as in the Printed Copies of several Loyal Speeches, and Unanswerable Reasonings in the Right of the Crown, where only the general drift of the Speech is set forth without any thing mention'd of the Argument.

As to the Abusing of your Magistrates, I am of opinion they would have found it out themselves, if any such thing had been. And then for your Juries bringing in Verdicts according to their Consciences, they are Sworn to find according to Allegations and Proofs, and not when the Law determines one thing, for them to think another; for at that rate, 'tis at their Choice to make an Honest man Guilty, or a Criminal Innocent, and at once to overthrow the Reason and the End of Government. The Law says 'tis Treason in the People to Conspire the Death of the King; but the Phanatiques make it Treason in the King to deny the Sovereignty of the People, as you will find abundantly, and particularly clear'd in several Sections of this Pamphlet. But neither is the Observator Chargeable even with this Article.

The Observator is lastly Presented for Endeavouring to Disgrace and Discountenance Religion it self, by an Ironical, Immoral, and Atheistical of writing against such as he endeavours to Stigmatize by the name of True Protestants.

Now if I were well enough acquainted with ye, Gentlemen, I would most humbly beseech ye to Expound this word Religion. Is it one Persuasion that is single and true to it self? Or is it a Medley of Various and Disagreeing Opinions in the matters of Holy Worship? Tell me now (I beg of ye) how it is possible to bring one and the same Truth to a Consistence with a hundred and fifty Divided, Implicated, and Inextricable Errors: Nay, and they are Boundless too; for there are Monsters in Heresies as well as in Bodies, which by a Promiscuous Liberty of Mixture and Confusion, must necessarily produce still New and New Diversities to the end of the world. But you shall have this Religion better Decypher'd by some of your own Doctors in the following Papers; and I shall particularly remit ye to the Oracles of Dr. J. O. W. J. and R. B. And you will find in the Conclusion that the Uniting of Dissenters is just such another piece of Non-sence, as the Separating of your selves together.

Now for the Appellation of a TRUE Protestant, It is but calling of those People by the name, which they have given themselves: And not with any Regard to the Reformed Religion neither; but in a Reflecting way of Discrimination from those of the Establishment; for in the naming of themselves True Protestants, and taking the whole Schism into that distinction, what is this but to intimate that those of the Church are False Protestants, from whom they have divided. This is the first step toward the explaining of those False Protestants to be Papists. But what they are they will tell you themselves, if you will but consult their Sayings: And I do not find that there belongs any great matter of Complement to this sort of True Protestants.

I should not have been thus free with ye, Gentlemen (before Company) if the Observator had not prevail'd upon me to follow your Example, in giving Countenance to the Publishing of so many thousand Copies up and down the City, at the Election on Michaelmas day last, and all over the Kingdom, by a Scum of Mercenary Intelligencers: Insomuch, that whosoever gives Credit to those Papers, must necessarily believe the Observator to be one of the greatest Rascals upon the face of the Earth: And I do confidently Affirm, that they are infinitely greater that Publish him so to be. If the Presentment had taken place, and the matter gone on in a due form of Law, a man might have had a Speech yet for his money, but this way of Proceeding runs to the Tune of Four and Forty, and Condemning the poor Rogue to the Gallows over again, without a hearing.

I would not be Ungrateful to any man, any manner of way; and I could not tell how to pitch upon a more suitable acknowledgment than by this Dedication. First, It was your Pleasure to set your Presentment abroad with a kind of a Noverint Universi; and I have taken the best care I could here, to make it twice as Publique as it would have been otherwise. 2dly, You were pleas'd to do Honour to the Observator, by Printing your Names to the Scandal; and for that Reason they are here likewise Exposed with his Vindication. 3dly, In regard that ye are men of Bus'ness, and not at leisure perhaps to turn over Books; and zealously affected over and above to the Reputation of an odd sort of Christians that style themselves True Protestants, what more agreeable Present in this World could I make you, than this Collection of True-Protestant-Sayings, ready drawn up to your hands, where you shall see all their Virtues Common-plac'd, their Graces drawn to the life, their Agreement among themselves, their Affection to the King and Church; the Moderation of their Principles, and the tenderness of their hearts towards their Sovereign, Faithfully and Impartially set forth and transmitted to Posterity by themselves, and effectually Sign'd, Seal'd, and Deliver'd to the World, for the use of future Generations by their own Rabbies. Gentlemen, I am with all Reciprocal Affection,

Your most Humble Servant, Roger L'Estrange.

THE CONTENTS. §. 1. OF Toleration, pag. 1. §. 2. The Fruits of a Toleration, p. 7. §. 3. The Dissenters Harmony among themselves, p. 13. §. 4. The Dissenters Behaviour toward the Government; and first the Clergy, p. 22. §. 5. The Dissenters Behaviour towards the Civil Government, p. 30. §. 6. The Presbyterians Opinion of the Covenant, p. 34. §. 7. Dissenters Liberty of Conscience, p. 37. §. 8. The Power of the Kirk, p. 39. §. 9. Principles and Positions, p. 45. §. 10. Tumults Encouraged. And chiefly by the [Able, Holy, Faithful, Laborious, and Trulypeaceable Ministers of the Gospel] p. 51. (Petition for Peace, p. 4.) §. 11. The War Iustified, p. 55. §. 12. Reformation by Blood, p. 59. §. 13. The Murder of the King Encouraged, p. 67. §. 14. The King's Murder Iustifi'd. p. 70.

§. 1. Dissenters Sayings, &c.

(1) TOleration hath done much more toward the Rooting of Religion out of the Hearts of many men in seven year, then the Enforcing of Uniformity did in Seventy years. Cawdrys Independency, a great Schism, 1657. P. 14.

(2) A Toleration hath All Errors in it, and All Evills. Edwards Gangreen. P. 58.

(3) A Toleration would be the putting a Sword in a Mad man's hand; a Cup of Poyson into the hand of a Child, a Letting loose of Madmen with Firebrands in their hands; An appointing a City of Refuge in mens Consciences for the Devil to fly to; a laying of a stumbling Block before the Blind; a Proclaiming Liberty to the Wolves to come into Christs Fold to Prey upon the Lambs. Neither would it be to Provide for Tender Consciences, but to take away all Conscience. The Harmonious Consent of the Lancashire Ministers with their Brethren in London. Subscribed by 84. 1648. P. 12.

(4) A Toleration would make us become the Abhorring, and Loathing of all Nations, and being so palpable a Breach of Covenant, would awaken against us the Lord of Hosts to bring a Sword upon us, to Avenge the Quarrell of his Covenant. Mr. Noise of New England of the Power of Magistrates. P. 13.

(5) That Doctrine that cryeth up Purity, to the Ruine of Unity, is Contrary to the doctrine of the Gospel. Vindication of the Presbyterial Government and Ministry. 1649. P. 124.

(6) That Religion which carries in the Front of it a Toleration of Different Religions, and not sufficient to keep the Body of Christ in Unity, and Purity, is not the Government of Christ. Ibid.

(7) Liberty in all matters of Worship and of Faith, is the open and Apparent way to set up Popery in the Land, Bax. Non-Con. Plea. Pref.

(8) Must he have his Conscience, that makes no Conscience? What? he that hath sin'd away his Conscience? If Conscience be a sufficient Plea, the Papists may come in for a Childs part. If Conscience goes against the word; Deponenda est talis Conscientia. Get Conscience better Enform'd. The Conscience of a Sinner is Desil'd. 1. Tit. 15. Conscience being desil'd, may Erre; Conscience erring may suggest that which is sinfull. There is nothing can bind a man to sin. Watson to the Commons. Dec. 27. 1646. P. 17.

(9) A Toleration of Independent Churches, and Government, with Opinions and Practise, against the Magistrates Duty lay'd down in Scripture. Edwards Full Answer. P. 237. [It is against the Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation. P. 238.] [A shrew'd Temptation to make many fall, and a means of Confirmation in the way of Errour. P. 244.] [A Toleration of One or more Different ways of Churches and Church-Government, from the Church, and Church-Government Establish'd, will be to this Kingdom very Mischievous, Pernicious, and Destructive. P. 247.] [It hath ever been from first to last, a Fountain of Evil, and a Root of Bitterness, of many bitter Divisions and Separations among themselves, of Manifold Errors and other Mischiefs in those Churches and Places where they liv'd. P. 248.]

(10) Will Mercifull Rulers set up a Trade for Butchering of Souls, and allow men to set up a shop of Poyson, for all men to Buy, and take, that will: yea, to Proclaim this Poyson for Souls in streets, and Church-Assemblies, &c? Baxters Self-Denial. Epist. Monitory.

(11) We must either Tolerate all men to do what they will, which they will make a matter of Conscience, or Religion, and then some may offer their Children in Sacrifice to the Devil; and some may think they do God service in Killing his servants, &c. Or else you must Tolerate no Errour or Fault, in Religion; and then you must advise what measure of Penalty you will Inflict. Baxters Church-Divis. P. 363. 364.

(12) I have known too many very honest hearted Christians, Especially Melancholique Persons, and women, who have been in great doubt about the opinions of the Millenaryes, the Separatists, the Anabaptists, the Seekers, and such like; and after Earnest Prayer to God, they have been strongly resolv'd for the way of Errour, and Confident, by the strong Impression, that it was the Spirits Answer to their Prayers; and thereupon they have set themselves into a Course of sin. Ibid. P. 162. [It is very ordinary with poor Fantasticall Women, and melancholique Persons to take all their deep Apprehensions for Revelations. Ibid. P. 167.

(13) If we do through weakness, or Perverseness, take Lawfull things to be Unlawfull, that will not excuse us in our disobedience. Our Errour is our sin, and one sin will not excuse another. Baxters 5. Dispute. P. 483.

(14) Oh what a Potent Instrument for Satan is a Misguided Conscience! It will make a man kill his Dearest Friend, yea Father or Mother, yea the holyest Saint, and think he doth God good service by it. And to Facilitate the work, it will first blot out the Reputation of their Holiness, and make them take a Saint for a Devil. Bax. Saints Rest, P. 133.

(15) Take heed how you tolerate Schism; for in little time without great care it will open the door to Heresy. Hodges to the Commons. Mar. 10. 1656. P. 55.

(16) Divisions, whether they be Ecclesiasticall, or Politicall, in Kingdoms, Citys, and Familyes, are Infallible Causes of Ruine to Kingdoms, Cityes and Familyes. Calamy to the Commons. Dec. 25. 1644. P. 4.

(17) Lyes would not take, if they were not Commended by the Holyness of the Person, and Guilded over as a Rotten Nutmeg with Gold. Vines to the Commons. Mar. 10. 1646. P. 27.

(18) We must not Judge of Faith by the Person, but of the Person by the Faith. Ibid.

(19) That Horse of Superstition and Idolatry, upon the Back of which, the Devil hath in Former times made War against the Church, is slain under him, and now he is mounted upon a Fresh Horse of another Colour, called Liberty of OPINION; falsly call'd Liberty of CONSCIENCE. Ibid.

(20) If Conscience be warrant enough for Practices and Opinions; and Liberty of Conscience be a sufficient License to Vent or Act them, I cannot see but the Judicatories either of Church or State may shut up shop, and be resolved into the Judicatory of Every mans Private Conscience, Ib. P. 60.

(21) The severall Bands of Anabaptists, Antinomians, Familists, Libertines and Separatists are so multiply'd, that they begin to threaten and speak Big words. Walker to the Commons. Jan. 29. 1644. P. 18.

(22) The Hand of God is apparently gone out against your ways of Separation and Anabaptism. Baxter to the Separatists. April. 20. 1655.

(23) We do again renew our Solemn League and Covenant, wherein, the securing, and •… reserving the Purity of Religion. against all Errour, Heresy, and Schism, and namely Independency, Anabaptism, Antinomianism, Armintanism, Socinianism, Familism, Libertinism, Scepticism, and Erastianism, and the carrying on the work of Uniformity, shall be studi'd and Endeavour •… d by us before all worldly Interest. Nepthaly. Engagement to Duties.

(24) Ob. There are many of em (the Sectaries) Holy and Pious men.

A •… s. Why should you think to say, he is an Honest or a Pious man, should be a Foolish Plea, in the Case of abusing Coin, Theft, Treason or the like; and yet should be of weight and force in this far greater Business? Hodges to the Com. P. 58.

(25) Now if Prophane, or Erroneous Persons shall Excommunicate themselves from the 〈◊〉 Ordinances of Christ, either by Negligence, or going a whoring after any Sects or Schisms, and say, their Conscience must be free to do so, then the Magistrate by his Positive Laws must fetch them in, and Command Obedience to those Publique. Ordinances in the Church, as the Kings of Iudah did, 2. Chron. 17. &c. The Ordinances of Excommunication Stated; and Licensed. Iohn Downham. Feb. 17. 1645. P •… ult.

(26) If the Parliament and Synod shall by Publique Consent Establish a Presbyteriall Church-Government, as most consonant to Gods word.—Independents and all others are bound in Conscience to submit unto it, under the pain of Obstinacy, Singularity, &c. In case they cannot really, by direct Texts and Precepts prove it diametrically contrary to the Scripture.——Prins Full Answer to Io. Goodwin. P. 13.

(27) That Courtesy, which no man can obtain of the Independents, where they have Authority, viz, in New-England; That Courtesie, should they not be Suiters for here in Old England. Adam Stewarts Duply. 1644. Part. 2. P. 162.

(28) The Late Generall Assemblyes of the Church of Scotland, and their Commissioners have born Testimony against Independency, Erastianism, Antinomianism, Anabaptism, &c. A Testimony against Toleration from the Kirk of Scotland, 1949. P. 2.

(29) Sins Committed by the Misunderstanding of Gods word may be Punish •… d, therefore Sins of Conscience. Mr. Noise Minister of New England, of the Power of Magistrates. P. 72.

(30) Schism of it s •… lf, even with sound Doctrine in every Point is a most Grievous wickedness, which exceeds all other wickedness. I might out of the Fathers Enlarge and shew the great Evil of Schism both in it self, and the Effects of it; How 'tis a greater evil to Rend the Church, then to worship Idols: Yea that Martyrdom it self cannot profit a Schi •… matique; That 'tis so great an Evil, that the •… loud o •… Martyrdom cannot blot it out. (So Cyprian, and Chrysostom) And God hath more Severely punish'd it then Murther, and other great Crimes. Korah, Dathan and Ab •… ram, for their Schism were punish'd more severely with the Earth opening and Swallowing them up Quick then Cain, and then those who made an Idol. Edwards Further Discovery, P. 197.

(31) If the Devil had his choice whether the Hierarchy, Ceremonies, and Liturgy should be Establish'd in this Kingdom, Or a Toleration granted, he would chuse and Prefer a Toleration before them; and give up all those for a Toleration of divers Sects, and different Churches. Edwards Full Answer. P. 257.

32. A Treatise against Toleration, and Pretended Liberty of Conscience: wherein by Scripture, sound Reason, Fathers, Schoolmen, Casuists, Protestant Divines of all Nations, Confessions of Faith of the Reformed Churches, Ecclesiasticall Historics, and constant Practice of the most Pious and wisest Emperors, Princes, States, the best Writers of Politicks, the Experience of all Ages; yea, by divers Principles, Testimonies and Proceedings of Sectaries themselves, as Donatists, Anabaptists, Brownists, Independents, the Unlawfullness and Mischief in Christian Common-wealths and Kingdoms, both of an Universall Toleration of all Religions and Consciences; and of a Limited and Bounded of some Sects only, are clearly Proved and Demonstrated, &c. Edwards's Casting down the Last and strongest hold of Satan.

Notes upon §. 1.

TOleration destroys Religion. (1) All Errors in't. (2) Instead of Easing Consciences, it takes away all Conscience. (3) A scandalous Breach of Covenant. (4) Contrary to the Gospel (5) And the Government of Christ. (6) The ready way to Popery. (7.) Erroneous Consciences not to be permitted. (8) A Toleration of Independency is Intolerable; contrary to the League and Covenant. A Temptation to, and a Confirmation in Error. Destructive of Government. The Root of Bitterness, and Divisions, and of manifold Errors. (9) An Erecting of a Trade for the Butchering of Souls. (10) A License to all Iniquity, (11) It gives a Countenance to Euthusiasms, and leads to Diabolicall Illusions. (12) And trains us from one Sin to another. (13) A Misguided Conscience is an Instrument for Satan. (14) It carrys us from Schism, to Heresy. (15) Ruines Kingdoms Cityes and Familys. (16) The Piety of a Person cannot Iustify the Error. (17. 18) The Horse of Superstition and Idolatry (19) It Dissolves all Iudicatoryes. (20) And threatens the Publique Peace, (21) God hath declared himself against it. (22) A breach of Covenant, (23) A Sectary, as Criminal as a Felon. (24) Erroneous Persons Excommunicate themselves. (25) Independents bound to submit to the Parliament, and Synod. (26) They that will not allow Liberty ought not to ask it. (27) The Generall Assembly of Scotland Expressly against it. (28) Sins of Conscience Punishable. (29) Schism worse then Murder, or Idolatry. (30) Toleration is the wish of the Devil. (31) Scripture, Reason, Fathers, Schoolmen, Casuists, Protestant Divines and all the Reformed Churches against it. (32)

How comes it now to be so Criminall to deny these People a Toleration, which they themselves account to be wholly Intolerable; Or with what Face can they call the Refusal of that Liberty to themselves by the name of a Persecution, which they look upon in all other Cases, as against the Rules of Government and Conscience to Grant? This shall suffice as to their Iudgement of a Toleration in it self. We'le take it next in the Consequences, and Effects.

§. 2. The Fruits of a Toleration.

(1) THe Incursions of the wild Boars of the Forest upon the Vineyard of the Lord, cannot but flow from the not setting up of the Hedge of Discipline; and that when in the Kirk of Christ, there is not one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, there must arise many False Christs, and False Prophets, insomuch that (if it were possible) they should deceive the very Elect. The Kirks Testimony against Toleration, to the London Ministers.

(2) Will any Parliament, State, or Nation (think you) suffer such a Government to take Root among them, which will Un-King, Un-Parliament, Un-Church, Un-Nation them altogether, and make Each several Congregation, an Absolute Monarchy? &c. Prins full Reply upon Io. Goodwin. P. 8.

(3) Satan and his Ministers Transform themselves into Angels of Light, false Teachers usually come to Seduce men in sheeps Cloathing, there is no Heretique, Schismatique or Sectary whatsoever so Pernicious, Gross, and detestable, but pretends his way, Doctrine, Practise, to be the way and Truth of Christ. Prinns full Answer Cited by Io. Goodwin. Innocency and Truth. P. 33.

(4) This New way, and the Separation of Independents from their Parish Churches, is an Encouragement, to all the Separatists, Brownists, Anabaptists, Antinomians, Socinians and Libertines, that are in and about the City. The Antidote against the Contagious Air of Independency. P. 12.

(5) All sorts of Mechanicks take upon them to Preach and Baptize, as Smiths, Taylers, Shoomakers, Pedlers, Weavers, &c. Edwards Discovery of Sectaries P. 26.

(6) From all these Errors, Here syes, Blasphemyes, and Practises of the Sectaryes, you may see what a great Evil and Sin, Separation is, from the Communion of the Reformed Churches; and how highly displeasing to God, for men to make a Schism and Rent in the Church of God in a time of Reformation: God punishing the Schism & Separation of our Times with so many Heresyes, Blasphemyes, Wicked Practises, &c. Edwards further Discovery. P. 195.

(7) The Punishment of Schism and Separation from the Church is Separation from God; Heresy, Blasphemy, Atheism, Uncleanness, Unrightcousness, &c. Ibid. P. 167.

(8) One ask'd what kind of Bird the Holy Ghost was. The Virgin Mary hath been call'd a—They could write as Good Scriptures as the Apostles. Paul was a Novice, and understood not Christ in the Promise. Edwards Gangrena. P. 33.

(9) One W •… b, Blessed God that he never trusted in a Crucify'd Christ; nor did he believe him to be the Son of God, nor the Scriptures Divine; but Human Invention.—He affirm'd there was no more Resurrection of a Man then of a Beast. Edwards Catalogue and Discovery of the Sectaryes, P. 5. [Christs Human Nature is De •… il'd with Original Sin, as well as ours. P. 6.]

(10) One maintain'd that God was the Author of sin; that all Lyes came out of the mouth of God, and quoted a Place in the Book of Kings sor't, that no man was sent to Hell for any Sins, but cast thither only because God would have it so. Edwards Catalogue of Errors. P. 24. [An Anabaptist, and a great Sectary came to Mr. Greenhill, and said he might as safely baptize a Dog, as a Believers Child. Ibid. P. 25.

(11) A Brick-layer, of Hack •… ey affirm'd that he for his part understood the Mystery of God in Christ better th •… n St. Paul; and he sayd of the Scriptures, they were as other writings of men. Every one writ as they had Conceiv'd. Ibid. P. 26.

(12) On February 27. 1644. It was Deliver'd at a Conventicle in Bell-Alley, that Christ was no more God then he, or any of them there, and that they were as much God as Christ was. And Mr. Noy spake it in the hearing of some Divines of the Assembly, that to his knowledge the denying of the Divinity of Christ was a Growing Opinion. Ibid.

(13) One S. O. a Dipper is Reported by Mr. Edwards after he had Baptiz'd a woman to bid her Gape, and she Gap'd, and he did blow three times into her mouth, saying words to this purpose, either Receive the Holy Ghost; or now thou hast Receiv'd the Holy Ghost. The same Person was also Question'd at Ch •… lmsford 1646. for the Death of a Young woman that dy'd upon Dipping. Gangr •… na. Part. 2. P. 147.

(14) A Preacher at Sandwich in Kent (a Washball-maker) pray'd to the Trinity to take care of these Three Kingdoms. God the Father of One; God the Son, of the Second; and God the Holy Ghost, of the Third. •… b. P. 150.

(15) Where is your God? (says one B •… ggis) In Heaven, or in Earth? alo •… t or Below? or where doth he sit? &c. Gangraen. P. 163. Par. 2d.

(16) A Woman having a desire to be Re-baptiz'd, and having pull'd off all her Cloaths to the naked skin, ready to go into the water; but forbearing, during the time the Dipper pray'd; she cover'd her secret Parts with both her hands, the which the Dipper Espying, told the woman, that it was an unseemly sight to see her hold her hands downward; It being an Ordinanee of Jesus Christ, her hands with her heart should be lifted up towards heaven; (as he shew'd her how he did) but she Refusing for Modesty's sake, could not be Re-baptiz'd. Edward's Catalogue of Errors. P. 5.

(17) Christmas day is a Superstitious day; and will (if observ'd) bring in Idolatrous Worship. Pearn at S. Dunstans in the West. De. 24.

(18) O Lord thou hast given us never a Victory this Long while for all our Frequent Fasting. What dost thou mean, O Lord, to fling us in the Ditch, and there leave us. Vines at St. Clements Temple Bar.

(19) O Lord, do not thou stand a Neuter; but take One side, that we may see which it is that is thy Cause. Cradock of Nun▪ Eaton. Aug. 1. 1647.

(20) If the Devil, the Turk, and the People should think to Compound with Christ, and say, Thou Christ; Thou shalt have so many Kingdoms, ond let us Enjoy the rest quietly. Christ will never do't. He will either have All, or None; He will either Kill, or be Kill'd▪ Feakat Black-Fryers Aug. 8. 1653.

(21) I Prosess (Saints) we must go lay our heads together, and Consult what we shall ask God next; for he will give us whatsoever we Ask; and so he hath done these Seven years. Id. Ibid.

(22) We must agree together to ask something now for Iesus Christ; for we have enough for our selves already. We have Peace enough, prosperity enough, and enough of every thing. Feake. Aug. 11. 1653.

(23) O Lord, when shall we hear the sound of Christs Horseheels. Feakat Black Fryers, Sep. 5. 1653.

(24) What ailed you, ye Mighty Armies at Keinton, Newbery, York, Naesby, that ye fled, and were driven backwards? What ailed you ye strong Treasons, Close Conspiracyes, that ye trembled and Fell, and your Foundations discover'd before you could take Effect. They saw thee O Jesus! They saw thee appearing in the Midest of us, so they fled before us. Sterry to the Commons. No. 26. 1645. P. 23.

(22) When Christ was Crucifi'd, did not all forsake him? Had but a few of that Inconstant multitude, which but a while before had cry'd Hosanna, stuck close to Christ, in likelyhood they had deliver'd him. Carter to the Commons Aug. 31. 1642. P. 12.

(26) This year God by a Providence hath buryed this Feast (Christmas day) in a •… ast, and I hope it will never rise again. Calamy to the Commons, Dec. 25. 1644. P. 41.

(27) I ask whether the Repetition of these words, [Our Father, &c.] after men have been long praying for the things contained in them, as the manner of some is, be not so remote from any Pretence or Colour of Warrant in the Scripture, as that it is in plain Terms, RIDICULOUS. D. Io. Owen. Vindiciae Evangel. P. 669.

(28) As men set Traps to catch Vermine, so God appoints Heresyes to Insnare Arrogant, and Self-presuming, or Vicious and Self-defiling men, Bagshaw of Heresyes. P. 8.

(26) Where is the God of Marston-Moor? and the God of Nase •… y? is an Acceptable Expostulation in a Gloomy day. O what a Catalogue of Mercyes has this Nation to Plead by, in a time of Trouble! God came from Naesby, and the Holy One from the West, Selah, &c. D. Owens Eben-Ez •… r, P. 13.

(30) God had so wonderfully wrought upon the Spirits of men, particularly on those Soldiers who were to fight the Bishops Battels in Scotland, that they pull'd down the Railes, threaten'd the Priests, and kept such a Visitation in their Progress, as the Bishops hardly ever had done since Q. Elizabeths days, Case to the Commons. Gods waiting. 1642.

(31) Let me tell ye, if ever (Gentlemen) you might use this Speech, O happy penny, you may use it now, Happy money that will purchase my Gospel, happy money that will Purchase Religion, and Purchase a Reformation to my Posterity; O happy Money; and Blessed be Cod that I have it to Lend. E. Calamy's Speech at Guild-Hall. Oct. 6. 1643.

(32) The Lord Iesus hath his Concubines, his Queens, his Virgins, Saints in Remoter Forms, Saints in Higher Forms; Saints Unmarried to any Forms, who keep themselves single for the Immediate Embraces of their Lord. Sterry's Englands Deliverance. Epistle.

(33) God did not Measure Iob in his Wallops, but when he was Cold, As we do not measure Milk when it Wallops and Seeths but when it is Cold: Bridge's First and Last in Suffering. P. 47.

(34) I will gently lead those that are with Young, that is (saith he,) Christ will be very kind to those Saints that step aside; and he thus Comforts those that are big with young in a sinfull sense; O ye Sinning Ewes who have been big with young! hath not he gone after you, and sound you, and laid you upon his shoulders rejoycing? It may be thou hast been wand'ring, like Dinah from thy Fathers House, and art big with young, and afraid to go home; but fear not, Go and Try; he will not cast you out of Doors, though you come with Big Bellyes, he will deal gently with you though with Young, And then, It is our Glory to be Christs Ewes, and that when a MAN is Big with Young, and Cryes out O my Belly, my Belly! here is a Point of Comfort that Christ is Sweet to such Persons.—Afterwards He cryes out: O Blessed Ewes! O Believing Ewes! And O Believing Bees that suck the Hony of Sin-Hatred out of the Wormwood of Sin-Acted. In another place he tells us, that Christ accounts their very Stammerings sweet; Meih, Meih, saith the Little One, and the Mother Counts it musick. Durant's Sips of sweetness upon Isaiah 40. 11. Reprinted 1662.

(35) I dare speak it as Confidently, as I Believe the Revelation to be Divine Scripture, that what Viol soever is pouring out, the Issue will be, Anti-Christ shall loose, and Christ shall gain. Marshall to the Commons. Iune 15. 1643. P. 45.

(36) Not only is that Covenant which God hath made with us, founded in the Bloud of Christ, but that also which we make with God. Caryl Oct. 6. 1643. P. 33.

(37) Beloved can ye forget the Soldiers? I say, the Soldiers, who have spent their Bloud for Christ, as Christ did for them, even their own Precious Bloud in Gods Cause at Newbery. Evans to the Earl of Essex at St. Clements. Sept. 26. 1643.

(38) You who sit at the Right hand of the Lord Iesus in this Common-wealth, as the Lord Jesus sits at the Right Hand of his Father in that Kingdom which is over all, &c. Sterry to the Commons. No. 26. 1645. Epistle.

(39) All you that have Contributed to the Parliament, come and take this Sacrament to your Comfort. Case.

(40) One Redman of Castle-Dunnington in Leicester-shire in Opposition to the Order of the Church, deliver'd the Sacrament in the Afternoon, in Ale.

Notes upon §. 2.

TOleration will make way for False Christs, and False Prophets. (1) Destroy all Government (8.) Introduce Schisms, and Heresies. (3. 4.) Authorize Mechanicks to Preach (5.) Tear the Church to peices. (6) Divide us from God. (7) Give Encouragement to Blasphemy, Prophaneness and Dissolution of manners. (8) And so to the End.

How can the Dissenters Press for a Toleration now, after this agreement among themselves, that it must Inevitably draw after it the Ruine, and Confusion, both of Church and State?

§. 3. The Dissenters Harmony among themselves.

(1) Does not the Apostle Prophesy, That in the Presbyterian. last days Perillous Times shall come, for men shall be lovers of themselves, Covetous, Boasters, Proud, Heady, Highminded, having a Form of Godlyness but denying the Power thereof. Ever learning, but never able to come to the Knowledge of the Truth. Yea, such as will not Endure sound Doctrine, but after their own lusts, will heap to themselves Teachers, having itching Ears, turning away their Ears from the Truth; and will be turned into Fables and Fictions, New lights, and Revelations. And are not your thus pretended New-lights, the very Persons; thus delineated, by your own Confessions, and practices too, even Murmurers, Complainers, desirous to walk after your own lusts, and having mens Persons in admiration for Advantage. Yea, take heed (I say) ye be not found to be those Clouds without water carried about with W •… des, and those wand'ring Stars which the Apostle Iude speaks of, which know not when, or where, Immutably, to fix your faith and Judgments: Whereas our Presbyterians, and all other True Believers, are allways (1. Cor. 15. 58. Phil. 1. 27. and Chap. 4. 1. &c.) stedfast, Unmoveable, standing fast in the Lord in one spirit, and in One mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospell, and not tossed to and fro, like Children, carried about with Every Wind of Doctrine by the slight of men, as too many Scepticall Independents are, to the Great Obloquy and Scandall of Religion. Picture of Independency. P. 9.

Independent (2) You complain of your Misery, and Bondage, Sorrows, and Oppressions, and Troubles of the Church. What ails you? What Troubles you? Who Oppresses you? Where is the least shew of Oppression, or Cause of Complaint Minister'd to you; except it be because you are not suffer'd to oppress your Brethren? Can you feed upon nothing but Bloud, yea, the Bloud of your Brethren; that though you have every thing else, you so complain of sorrow and Oppression? Is this your sorrow and Oppression, that you cannot Oppress? Pulpit-Incendiary. 1648. P. 45.

P. (3) Our Sectaries, in their Sermons, Prayers, Pamphlets, Discourses, Petitions, all cry out of Persecution, and accuse the Orthodox Presbyterians of Persecution; yea, when for their Seditious, Tumultuous Libellous Scoffing, Wicked Lying, Scandalous Reports, Books and Practices, they have been Questioned, there's nothing in their Mouths but Persecution, and of Unheard-of Prosecution of the Godly. I am of the mind if any of them should come to be Imprison'd and Hang'd for Stealing, Killing a Godly Presbyterian, Plotting against the Parliament and City, in seizing upon their Forts, or some Parliament-men; One or other of them would cry out of Persecution. Edwards Gang. P. 37.

I. (4) The way Sirnamed Presbyterian, conjures all mens Gifts, Parts and Industry, into a Synodical Circle, and suffers them only to Dance there. Jo. Goodwins Theomachia. P. 33.

P. (5) Independents are Beasts, Grolls, Puffoists; Wild-Geese, a Company of Juglers, sticklers against Parliament and Presbytery; a Generation of cunning Deceivers, and Fighters against God, Violaters of all the Laws of God and Nature; the most dangerous Sect that ever yet the world Produc'd; a Company of Rats among Joyn'd-stools; Despisers of Magistracy, a Generation of men not worthy to give guts to a Bear, Moon-Calves; All the Independents put together, have not so much learning as one of a thousand other Ministers. A Wheel-Barrow, (such as they trundle white-wine Vinegar on) fitter for them then a Coach. Bastwick Cited by Burton in his Brief answer. P. 28.

I. (6) That Reformation which is forward, Rough, Peremptory, Impatient, Imperious, and will gather where it hath not strewed, and reap where it hath not sow'd; exact Obedience, and Subjection from those, to whom it hath not Effectually taught, or Perswaded Obedience, and Subjection; nor ever gave any tolerable account unto truly Conscientious, and Considering, and Disinteressed men of any worthyness in it, why it should be submitted unto, and cannot be Iudg'd a Reformation according to the word of God. Jo. Goodwins 12 Cautions. P. 5.

P. (7) The Independents are Railers, Revilers, Slanderers, Covenant-Breakers with God and man, Ordinary Lyers, Notorious Calumniators and False accusers (such as in holy Scripture are call'd, Diaboli, Devils) Heretiques, open Seducers, and Causers of Division, and Offences, contrary unto the Doctrine of Christ; such as all Christians have a special Command to take heed of, and to shun; and are prohibited to receive into their Houses, or bid God speed, or so much as to eat with, they are no Visible Saints, nor Good Daemons: and therefore no True Form'd Churches, nor to be Communicated with in Holy things. Burton, Cited by Bastwick. Independency not Gods Ordinance. P. 310.

I. (8) Mr. John Goodwin says in his Theomachia; That the presbyterian is a Bloudy, Unpeaceable, and Persecuting way, a way much Damping and Deading the Flourishing Improvements of the Gifts and Graces of the Saints. Picture of Independency. P. 12.

P. (9) Independency, a Seminary of Schisms, and Dangerous Divisions in Church and State—A Floud-Gate to let in an Inundation of Heresyes, Errots, Sects, Libertinism, and Lawlessness, without means of Suppressing them, when Introduc'd. Prinn Cited by Burton. Vindication of Independency. P. 40, 41. [Pharisaical, Spiritual Pride, Vain-Glory, Singularity, Self-conceitedness, of Superlative Holiness, Ib. 43.

I. (10) If Ephraim be against Manasseh, is it any ways like but Manasseh will be against Ephraim? And God himself, Prophecying of Ishmael, told his mother, that he would be a wild man: and that his hand should be against every man; and Every mans hand against him. Undoubtedly that way, whose hand shall be against every way, will find that the hand of every way will be against it: and then what manner of Peace can reasonably be expected under the Predominancy of such a way? Goodwins Theomachia. P. 30.

P. (11) The Independents have now the sword in their hands, and they think their party strong enough to Encounter any adverse and Opposing Party; and they Profess they care not how soon they come to cutting of throats; and speak of nothing but the slaughtering and butchering of the Presbyterians. Bastwicks Postcript to Burton.

I. (12) At the beginning of this Parliament, the whole Kingdom sided with Both Houses in the Vindication of their Liberties, and so it continued untill such as did overmuch Idolize Presbytery, prevail'd for a Bill to Damn Episcopacy, Root and Branch, that Presbitery might succeed it, with it's Fascibus, and Fustibus, with its Pontificalibus, and Synodalibus, nothing to be ahated which concern'd either Wealth, or Iurisdiction, only an Episcopall Tyranny to be Exchanged for a Presbyteriall Slavery. Answer to Prinnes 12. Queryes P. 19.

P. (13) With what Faces and Consciences can ye think to Obtrude your Independent ways and Fancies upon us, &c. Picture of Independency. Licensed by Cranford. 1645.

I. (14) As the Bishops would call men Puritans, and Non-Conformists, and so Persecute them; so will the Presbytery call men Schismaticks, Heretiques, Antinomians, Separatists, and do the like. Jo. Goodwins Answer to Mr. Prinns Full Reply. P. 15.

P. (15) The Assembly of C •… renton, judging the Sect of Independents to be not only Prejudicial to the Church of God, in so far, that it endeavours to bring in Confusion, opening a Gate to all kinds of Singularities, and Extravagancies, and taking away all means of any remedy to the Evil, but also most Dangerous to the State; where (if it had place) there might be as many Religions set up, as there be Parishes, or particular Congregations; doth enjoyn to all the Provinces, and particularly to the Maritimes, to take heed that the Evil takes no foot in the Churches of this Kingdom; to the end, that Peace, and Uniformity, as well in Religion, as in DISCIPLINE, may be Inviolably Preserv'd; and that nothing be brought in amongst us, which may alter in any kind the Service due unto their Majesties. An Extract of the Act. Dec. 26. 1644.

I. (16) The Spirit of the Ten-horned Beast (Rev. 17.) is now making war with the Lamb, (which is likely to be his last War, Babylons fall following in the next Chap.) and this Spirit warreth under new Colours; not red, but white, whose word is Reformation, and this under a Fair Colour of a Covenant, by Virtue whereof, pretending a just Title to the War, he hopes by the help of the Remonstrance, and the Prime Authors thereof, and their Adherents, to enact a New Bestiall Tyranny, over Souls, Bodies and Estates, under new Names, and Notions. Burton's Conformities Deformity. Ep. Ded.

P. (17) The Independents worse then Diotrephes, or the Pope, most Diabolicall Tyranny, Lording it over Gods Clergies, Fellows of Goatham College, not knowing their Primer in Politicks, nor their Cat •… hisme in Divinity.

I. (18) The Church of England is a True whorish Mother, and they that were of her, were base begotten, and •… astardly Children, and she neither is, nor ever was truly married, Ioyned, or United unto Iesus Christ in that Esponsal Ba •… d, which his True Churches are, and ought to be, but is one of Anti-Christs Nationall Whorith Churches, and Cities spoken of Revel. 16. 19. &c. The Church of England is False and Anti-Christian; and as she is a False and Anti-Christian Church, she shall never make True Officers and Ministers of Jesus Christ—As I •… nnes and Jambres, withstood Moses, so do these Men also Resist the Truth. Li •… urn Cited by Bastwick. Indep. &c. P. 315. [Yea, when they write most mildly against the Presbyterians, they call them Lyons, Bears, Wolves, Tygers, Baals Priests, The Limbs of Anti-Christ, the Anti-Christian Brood, the Devils Ministers, Presbyterants. Ibid. P. 316.]

P. (19) The Independents are taken up in Biting and Devouring one another; in Hatred, Variance, Emulations, Wrath, Strife, Seditions, Heresies, Envyings, &c. Bastwick's Indep. not Gods Ord. P. 330.

I. (20) I Challenge our Brother for taking Christs name in vain, when in stead of finding Christ set upon his Throne in their Congregations, we find there no more then an Image, such as Michal had made up instead of King David; or as those that in Mockery made of Christ a Pageant King, Stripping him, and putting on him a Scarlet Robe, and on his head a Crown of Thorns, and in his hand a Reed; Saluting him with Hail King of the Jews. Burton cited by Bastwick. Independency not Gods Ordinance. P. 312.

P. (21) I here present ye with a Catalogue, or Black Bill of the Errors, Heresies, Blasphemies and practises of the Sectaries of this Time; Broached and Acted within these Four last Years in England: And that in your Quarters; and in places under your Government and Power, for which I tremble to think lest the whole Kingdom should be in Gods Black Bill. Edwards Gangren. 1646. Ep. Ded. to the Lords and Commons.

I (22) This whole Postcript (of Bastwick) is a very Cento, and farrago, or hodge-podge of Invectives, Sarcasms, Scurrilous Scoffs, Incendiary Incentives to stir up the State, and all sorts of People, to root out, and cut off all those that are of the Independent way, as they call it. Burtons Brief answer to Bastwick. Postcript.

P. (23) Oh the Faithfullness, Dutifullness, Patience, Long-Suffering, Forbearance of the Presbyterians! Their Dutifullness and Patience in waiting upon the Parliament; their Faithfullness in not abating in their zeal and Respects to them; Oh their Love, Kindness and Tenderness to the Independents, yea to other Sectaries also, who have had something of Christ, and Grace in them; and have not fal'n into Errors, and Blasphemies, rasing their foundations. But now on the other hand; the Sectaries, (though a Contemptible number, and not to be named at the same time with the Presbyterians) have not waited upon the Parliament and Assembly, for the Reformation, but Preach'd against it, and stir'd up the People to Embody themselves, and to Joyn in Church Fellowship, gathering Churches, setting up Independent Government; Re-baptizing; and Dipping many hundreds, &c. Edwards Discovery, P. 51.

I. (24) Such an Oracle of Infallibility, and s •… ch a Supremacy as 〈◊〉 ▪ True-bred-English-Christian can Interpret for other then Anti-Christian Tyranny; And all under the name of a Christian-Presbyterian Church-Government. Burtons Conformities Deformity. P. 21.

P. (25) Ambitious, Proud, Covetous men—Libertines and Loose Persons, who have a Desire to live in Pleasures and Enjoy their Lust, and to be under no Government, they are Fierce and Earnest for Independency, and against Presbytery. All wanton-witted, Unstable, Erroneous Spirits of all Sorts; all Heretiques, and Sectaries, Strike in with Independency, and Plead they are Independents. Edwards Further Discovery. P. 185.

I. (26) Their Ordinary Councells (the Presbyterians) drive at two Main things (yet both reduc'd to One Head, to wit, Tyranny) The one, Tyranny over our Bodies, Estates, Free-holds, Liberties, Laws, and Birthrights of all English Free-born Subjects: The other, Tyranny over our Souls, and Consciences. Burtons Conformities Deformity. Ep. Ded. 1646.

P. (27) Independents are most Obstinate Rebells, both in Opinion, and Practise; and Perfidious Violators of such a Main and Principal Foundation, as will Inevitably Ruinate all other Fundamentals of True Religion, if allow'd unto them. Colemanstreet Conclave Visited. Pref. 1648. [I say and hold that all sorts of Independents among us, (Separating themselves into their Private Conventicles, and Unwarranted Church-way, as they call it, against all Authority and Power of the King and Parliament, the Unquestionable Sovereign and Supreme Magistracy, ordain'd by God himself; and in resisting whose ordinance, they apparently oppose and resist, even the Lord God of Heaven Himself; are not by any means to be admitted or permitted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , •… . 〈◊〉 is •… heir Separation, or Division from us, to be so 〈◊〉 or so 〈◊〉 by us, as to give any the least allowance to them. Ibid.]

I. (28) Is Presbytery, because Parochial, Classical, Provincial, l •… ss Tyrannical, then Episcopacy, because many Rule in that, and in this but One? Or rather not more Tyrannical, because One Tyrant is not so much as many together? Evil in a Community, is stronger, and more diffusive then in Unity. Saltmarsh'es Answer to Ley. 1646. P. 5.

P. (29) Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rose up against Moses and Aaron, as our Independents do now adays, against the most Just and Righteous Authority of Parliaments, and their Power; in constituting under them for their assistance, in matters of Religion, the Synods, or Assembly of Divines at Westminster, Even as the Lord appointed and constituted Aaron under Moses in Holy things. Colemanstreet Conclave, Parallell to the Reader. 1648.

I. (30) The Idolatrous Heathen, sought to maintain their Idolatrous Religions by the same Stratagems, Methods, and Ways, which the Ord'nance for the Preventing of the growing, and spreading of Herefies, proposeth for maintaining the Religion of Christ. Modest and Humble Queries Printed, London. 1646. p. 2.

P. (31) The Apostles, in many Places of their Writings, speaking of Heretiques, and false Teachers in their times, and Proph •… sying of those in after times, both the Popish Faction, and the Sectarian, speak of them as Apostates, Antichrists, False Prophets, Seducers, Deceivers, Idolaters, Blasphemers, and their Doctrines, and ways, as Apostacy, Idolatry, Blasphemy, worshipping of Devils, Seducing, and such like. Edwards against Toleration. 1647. P. 185.

I. (32) In the Latter days, False Christs and False Prophets shall arise, saying, Loe! Here is Christ, Or Loe! there he is, &c.—Wherfore if they shall say unto you, (see here how our Saviour Ingeminates the Caution as a thing of Serious Consideration,) Behold he is in the Desert; Go not forth; Behold he is in the Secret Chambers; (Mark her▪ 〈◊〉 how near our Saviour comes to our Sectaries Practices, and Rebellious Church-ways, as they call them, now adays: Or he is in Shops, Barns, and such like Private Conventicles.) Believe it not. Colemanstreet Conclave Visited. P. 1. 1648.

P. (33) The Congregationall men swore to Endeavour Uniformity; and yet practice this day, Multiformity of Religions, & have put to the sale the Bloud of many Gallant men in Scotland, that so they may buy with their lives, Cursed Liberty of Conscience. But will it not be bitterness in the End? Rutherfords Free Disputation. 1649. P. 256. [We know no service to the State done by these men, but that they set up with the sword, all the Blasphemous and Hereticall Sects and Religions, that Tho. Muncer, or Iohn of Leyd •… n fancy'd contrary to the Oath of God. Ib. 259.]

I. (34) Was there ever any thing done in the Bishops time, or any thing attempted to be done by this Generation of men, in the day of their Greatest Interest and Power in the Kingdom; of that Bloudy Consequence to those Godly Persons, Ministers, or others, whom they most hated, and sought to crush as this Ord'nance, (to Prevent the Growing and spreading of Heresies, &c.) if once Establish'd, is like to be to far greater numbers, of truly Pious and Conscientious Men. Some Modest and Humble Queries. P. 7.

Notes upon §. 3.

I Shall not need to cut up this Section by Paragraphs; but rather recommend it whole, to the Consideration of any Indifferent Reader. These are the People that assume to themselves the Title of the Kings best Subjects, and the Church of Englands True-Protestants; when yet at the same time, they do with their own Lips, and Pens, declare themselves the Implacable Enemies of Order, and of One another. They call for Indulgence contrary to Law, from those whom they themselves destroy'd for Living and Acting according to the Law; and to whom (so far from Mercy) they never shew'd so much as Humanity, or Common Pity. They demand a Comprehension with that Church, which they do Ioyntly pronounce to be Anti-Christian. They make use of Religion, and Tenderness of Conscience, as their Plea for a Common Union with the Church: and yet what is it, but the same Pretense of Religion and Conscience, that Causes all those Mortal Feuds among themselves? What Religion can be expected from men of these Outragious Principles? What Peace with so many Implacable Antipathies, and Oppositions? What Truth, from such a Medly of Pernitious Errors? and what Trust can be given to those, that never kept Faith either with God or Man? Nor ever agreed, but in order to the Ruine and Confusion of the State? Would they be United? ye see 'tis Dangerous and Impossible. Dangerous in respect of the Publique; and Impossible among Themselves; for they make it no less then Matter of Damnation, to Suffer one Another. Now according to these Practices, and Positions, let the world Iudge of the Design.

§. 4. The Dissenters Behaviour toward the Government; and first, the Clergy.

(1) PErnicious Deceivers, Presumptuous Shepherds, Baalamites, Blazing-Stars, Glosing Hypocrites with God, Fasting-Pharisaicall Preachers, Miserable Guides, Counterfeit-False Prophets, Sycophants, Trencher-Priests, Conscience-Brokers, Dangerous and Pestilent Seducers, Sectary-Precise Preachers, Trecherous Watchmen, Sworn Soldiers of Anti-Christ, &c. Barrow and Greenwood. Cited in Bancrofts Survey of Holy Discipline. P. 355.

(2) This new Parcell of Mockery, and Iesuited Popery, as bad as any in the Mass-book [i. e. A Collection of Prayers and Thanksgivings used in his Majesties Chappel, &c. and publish'd by his Majesties Command. 1644.]

(3) Croaking Frogs Clergy) that crept into the Kings Chambers, who are known by the Gutter whence they came, out of the Dragon, out of the mouth of the Beast and the False Prophet. They are the Spirits of Devils, who go forth unto the Kings of the Earth to gather them to Battle, &c. The Frogs Heads are like their Caps [Quadrata Ranarum Capita.] Here is work for the Parliament, that the King may have no more Croakers in his Chambers. Wilson to the Commons, Sep. 1642.

(4) A Stinking Heap of Atheisticall and Roman-Rubbish, a Rotten Rabble of Slanderous Priests and Spurious Bastard sons of Belial, who by their Affected Ignorance, and Laziness, their False Doctrines, and Idolatrous & Superstitious Practises, in Gods worship; by their most Abominable Evil Lives and Conversations, had, like Hophni and Phinehas, made the Lords Ordinances to be even abhorr'd by the People. Vicars Iehovae Iireh. P. 88. 1644.

(5) Who among us 7. years ago Imagin'd that this Land should be healed of the two Great Plague-Sores of this Land; viz. The Common-Pruyer Book and Episcopacy; of the lesser Scabs, of Deans, and Prebends, Chancellors, Arch-Deacons, Queristers, Promoters, &c. Together with the Spiritual Courts, and all the Trumpery of their Superstitious Ceremonies. Loves Sermon. at Uxbridge Ian. 30. 1944. P 29.

(6) If Justice be at a stand, and cannot take hold of Living Delinquents, to keep the Ax from rust, Let Justice be Executed upon Liveless Delinquents. Are there no Altars, no High-Places, no Crucifixes? &c. Greenhill to the Commons. Ap. 26. 1643. P. 37.

(7) Throw away the Rubbish, out with the Lords Enemies, and the Lands; Vex the Midianites; Abolish the Amalekites, else they will vex you with their Wiles, as they have done heretofore. Let Popery find no favour, because it is Treasonable; Prelacy as little, because it is Tyrannicall: but Establish God, his Truth, and ways. Coleman to the Commons. Au. 30. 1643. P. 64.

(8) God was weary of our New-Moons and Sabbaths, and the Calling of our Assemblies! He could not smell in our Common Feasts; our Sacrifices were an Abomination to him, through the Noisomness of those Corruptions which Hophni and Phinehas (Superstitious and wicked men in the Priesthood) mingled with them. Strickland No. 1944. P. 33.

(9) The Hierarchy is become a Fretting Gaugreen, and Spreding Leprosy, an Insupportable Tyraany; Up with it, Up with it to the Bottom, Root and Branch, Hip and Thigh; Destroy these Amalckites, and let there Place be no more found. Coleman to the Par. Au. 30. 1643. P. 39.

(10) Our Cathedralls are in a Great part of late become the Nest of Idle Drones, and the Roosting Place of Superstitious Formalities. Coleman to the Commons Au. 30. 1643. P. 39,

(11) How was this Honourable and Famous City of London furnish'd? Even just as Ieroboam furnish'd Bethel, with the Idlest, the most Superstitious of all the rest. Id. Ibid.

(12) An Ungodly Generation that weep with a Loud Voice, and Complain their Gods are gone; their God Episcopacy, their God Liturgy, the Organ, and the Surplice, the Cross, &c. Stanton to the Commons Ap. 24. 1644. Epistle.

(13) Our Religion and Liberties are setled by the Laws of the Land, not so Israels in Egypt. And therfore the Anti-Christian Party, in their attempts to wrest them from us, are more Unjust and cruell, then of Old was Egypt. Ibid. P. 5.

(14) How many Dumb Devils are now casting out of many Parishes in the Land? Bond to the Commons, Mar. 27. 1644. P. 44.

(15) What had we got if the Prelaticall Party had been set up? What could we have Expected from them, but superstitions, Innovations, Illegalities, Bondage of our Estates, I iberties and Consciences? Burroughs to the Commons. Sep. 7. 1641. P. 40.

(16) I profess that I cannot Expecta Complete deliverance from these and other like Oppressions, but by the Extirpation of the Frame [of Prelatical Government] Ash to the Commons. Mar. 30. 1642. P. 61.

(17) The Violence that is done to me, and my Flesh, be upon thee O Papacy, shall the Inhabitants of Ireland say: And my Bloud upon Thee O Prelacy, shall England say. Newcomen to the Commons, Nov. 5. 1642. P. 38.

(18) Prophane sons of Belial, (the Clergy) who like Ely's Sons made the People Abhor the Offering of the Lord. Love, Ian. 30. 1644. P. 18. The two Plague-Sores, Episc pacy, & Common-Prayer-Book. P. 22. Episcopacy, Iure Diabolico. P. 28.

(19) The Church Committed to Persons Illiterate and Insufficient; Dumb Dogs—Men swallowed up with wine and strong Drink, whose Tables are full of Vomit and Filthyness, Whoremongers and Adulterers, who as fed Horses neigh after their Neighbours wives—Priests of Baal, Bacchus, and Priapus, Sons of Belial &c. Whites first Century. Epistle to the Reader.

(20) Of all the Nations that have Renounc'd the Whore of Rome, there is none in the world so far out of Square as England, in retaining the Popish Hierarchy. Epist. before the Demonst.

(21) The English Prelacy is the Product of proud Ambition, and Arrogancy, and Contrary to the Express Command of Christ. Baxters 5. Disputations P. 45.

(22) Bishops are Thorns and Thistles, and the Military Instruments of the Devil. Baxters Concord. P. 122.

(23) Prelacy is a Government which Gratifieth the Devil and wicked men. 5 Disputations. P. 36. Contrary to the word of God, and Apostolical Institution. Ibid. P. 51. Against the will of Christ, and the wellfare of the Churches. Ibid. Pref. 16.

(24) Your Churches bear with Drunkards, Whoremongers, Railers, Open Scorners at Godlyness, 5 Disputations P. 37. The most Ungodly of the Land are the forwardest for your ways. You may have almost all the Drunkards, Blasphemers, and Ignorant haters of Godliness in the Country to Vote for ye. 5. Disp. Pref. P. 17. to the Adherers to Prelacy.

(25) What is this Prelacy? A mere Anti-Christian Encroachment upon the Inheritance of Christ. D. Owen. Thanksgiving Sermon Oct. 24. 1651. P. 5.

(26) They (the Episcopal Clergy) are as zealous for Crosses and Surplices, Processions, and Perambulations, reading a Gospel at a Cross-way, the Observation of Holy days, the Repeating of the Litany, or the like Forms in the Common Prayer, the Bowing at the Name of the word Iesus, (while they Reject his Worship) the Receiving of the Sacrament, when they have no Right to it, and that upon their Knees, as if they were more Reverent and Devout then the true Laborious Servants of Christ; with a Multitude of things which are only the Traditions of their Fathers; I say they are as zealous for these, as if Eternal Life Consisted in them. Where God forbids them, there they are as forward as if they could never do enough; and where God Commands them, there they are as backward to it; yea as much against it, as if they were the Commands of the Devil himself. And for the Discipline of Christ, though all parts of the world have much opposed it, yet where hath it been so fiercely and Powerfully resisted? The Lord Grant that this Harden'd, willfull, Malitious Nation fall not under that Heavy Doom Luke. 19. 27. But those mine Enemies which would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither and Slay them before me. Baxters Saints Rest. Part 3. P. 91.

(27) If the Parliament should hereafter see a Convenience in Prelacy for this Kingdom, were not this Oath then Prejudicial either to the Parliaments Liberty or the Kingdoms felicity? This Objection Supposes that the most Wicked Anti-Christian Government may be a Lawfull Government in Point of Conscience. Coleman at St. Margarets Westminster upon Entring into the Covenant Sep. 29. 1643. P. 37.

(28) Who cannot witness the Superstitious abuse of Englands Liturgy? Superstitious, say I? nay, Idolatrous; What was by the Smectymnuan Episcopo-Mastix alledg •… d of the Liturgy twenty year ago, I doubt is verify'd of it still. Ierubaal Ridivivus P 22. 1663.

(29) The Church of England Evidently Declare themselves Limbs of Anti-Christ; Therefore there is no Communion to be kept with such in their Publique worship. Vindicia Cultus Evangelici. 1668. P. 39.

(30) The Ministry of the Church of England is False, Superstitious, and Idolatrous; therefore it is Unlawfull for the People of God to Joyn in it. Ibid. P. 42. [The Persons Performing the Publique worship in the Church of England, are no Officers appointed by Christ; but an Anti-Christian Ministry, such as Design'd the Ruine of Godlyness, and Idolaters. Ibid.]

(31) I mean to make the Godly Reader see the distress and Danger we were Plunged in by the Nefarious Plots of Iesuiticall Priests and Perfidious Prelates; for I may most Justly link them together, like Simeon and Levi, brothers in Iniquity, Combining, and Complotting to reduce us to the accursed Romish Religion. Vicars. Iehovah Iireh. P. 6.

(32) How comes it to pass, that in England there is such Encrease of Popery, Superstition, Arminianism. and Prophaneness, more then in other Reformed Churches? Doth not the Root of these Disorders proceed from the Bishops, and their Adherents, being forced to hold Correspondency with Rome, to uphold their Greatness, and their Courts and Canons, wherein they Symbolize with Rome? and whether it be not to be feared, that they will rather consent to the bringing in of Popery, for the Upholding of their Dignities, then part with their Dignities for the Upholding of Religion? Smectymnuus P. 66.

(33) The Prelates Late Canonsand Oath purposely contrived for the perpetuating of their Hierarchy, and their other Treacherous Endeavours against the State, joyning with the Papists, and with them labouring to bring all into Confusion, hath helped thus far toward the taking them away Root and Branch, Marshall to the Commons, Iune 15. 1643. P. 19. [The Roman Emperors wasted the Saints in Ten several Persecutions; but all these were nothing in Comparison of this Destroyer, all their loins not so heavy as the little finger of Anti-Christ. Ibid. P. 25.]

(34) We may answer all Queries about the Reign of Christ thus, the Blind begin to have their Eyes Unseal'd, the Lame do walk at Liberty, Proud ones are abas'd, the Mighty ones are put from their Seats, Errors Discountenanc'd, Truths Enquir'd after, Ceremonyes and Superstitions are cast out, Monuments of Popery and Paganil •… i cast down. Caryl to the Commons April. 23. 1644. P. 35.

(35) Never were there Grosser Idols in Rome then those things, as they were used by some, and what is abus'd by Superstition; ought not to be retain'd. Sedgwick. I •… n. 6. 1643. P. 33.

(36) Such a Generation of men there were amongst us that by Complyances with Idols and Idolatry went about to Drive God away, and what Consistence can there be between the Ark and Dagon, between God and Idols. Strickland, No. 5. 1644. P. 32.

(37) 'Tis now more then manifest that Rome and Hell had long since taken Councell; by working to Extirpate all Protestant Religion; as for Dissolving our Laws, the Introducing Arbitrary Government, it was but a design on the by to Cajole, and Hire the Court to their Party. Ward, Deut. 33. 16. P. 16.

(38) Israel will not be cured without a Full and Total Extirpation o all the accursed things and Persons also. Fair-Cloth on Iosh. 7. 25. P. 25.

(39) These Ecclesiasticall Offices, Ceremonies, and Discipline, are set up by the Pope, and are an Appendix or Tayl of Anti-Christ. D. Holmes on 2 Pet. 3. v. 13. 1641. P. 33.

(40) They are Butchers and Horse-Leeches; These Dragons Tyranny, and Bloud-Thirsty Proceedings are Inexcusable. Ha ya any. P. 28. and Martins Protestat.

(41) Episcopacy must not be Moderated nor Reserved; but presently and wholly taken away. Answer to London-Petition, fol. 33.

(42) The Church Ministry, and worship in England, are all Anti-Christian, from which, all Gods People are in Duty and Conscience bound to separate themselves. Eight Propositions.

(43) The Bishops must be utterly Extirpated, no less then the Romans Rooted out the very name of Tarquins, for the Tyranny they had Exercis'd: A Wind to Fan or Cleanse will not serve their turn; but it must be a Full mighty Wind to root up, and carry away the very foundation of their being. Sions Plea, and Christ on his Throne.

(44) Strike neither at great nor Small; but at these Troubles of Israel. Smite that Haza •… l in the Fifth Rib; yea, if Father or Mother stand in the way, away with them, Down with the Colours of the Dragon, Advance the Standard of Christ. Sions Plea. P. 240. and 200.

Notes upo •… §. 4.

YOu have here the Spirit of the Godly Party, and the False-True-Protestants, set forth in their own words: and in such Terms too, as Paganism it self would Blush at. There never was any Design Manag'd with so little regard to the Rules of Government, or the Measures of Charity; Truth, Good Manners; or (in One word) of Humane Society. Never any Order of Men certainly; Never any Constitution, treated at that Scurrilous, Barharous, Scandalous, and Malicious Rate. And yet all this while, these Sanguinary, and Violent Incendiaries are Iuggled, and Impos'd upon the Multitude, as the only Men to Reform our Manners, and Advance the Purity of the Gospel. Let but the Reader now Compare this Ribaldry with the Language of the Holy Ghost; This Reviling of Dignities with the Practices, and Precepts of Christ and his Apostles; This Uncharitable Censoriousness, with that Caution of our Saviours, Judge not, that ye be not Judged; This Cruelty of Rigour, and Persecution with the Dictate of Christian forbearance; The ways and Consciences of our New-Gospel Professors with those of former times; and He will easily resolve himself whether these Methods, and Motions be from Heaven, or Hell; and how far, even in the point of ordinary Prudence, as well as of Christian Piety, we may safely deliver our selves up to the Conduct of these Guides; whose Example, as well as Doctrine runs directly Counter to that which has been transmitted unto us by our Saviour Jesus Christ. It will not need any Artifice, or Flourish to render these Impious Extravagances odious to any man that shall duly Consider them; for they carry their Shame, and their Condemnation in their Foreheads.

§. 5. The Dissenters Behaviour toward the Civil Government.

(1) WHat Iunto's of Hell have been found out? what Plots Discover'd; what Cabinets of Letters Detected; what Actions Described; what Hearts anatomiz'd? Popery, Prerogati •… e, Protestations, Plotters, Prelates, all come to light, and found Desperate, and Devilish. Lightfoot to the Commons. Au. 26. 1645. P. 17.

(2) The Same Spirit that Actuated Cain to Kill his Brother Abel; Actuated the Pharisees to kill the Servants, the Sons of God; the same hath Actuated these men to kill the Saints. They all walk by the same Bloudy Principles: They have the same Enraged Spirit: with the same Hellish Rage; Rage which reacheth up to Heaven, by which they have shed any of the Bloud of the Saints, they would have shed all; If all the Bloud that was shed from Abel to this time, did run in the Veins of any one Child of God, they would open that Vein, and let out that Bloud, and Spill it as water upon the Ground. Caligula's Bloudy wish is in all their Hearts; Oh that all the Saints and Servants of God had but one Head, that with One Blow I might strike it off. Heyrick to the Commons, May. 27. 1646. P. 23.

(3) What shall we think of that Legion (of Devils, I had almost call'd them) who now possess the Land; and after the manner of Devils indeed, seek all to rent and tear it in pieces? I mean that Colli •… vies, that heap, or gathering together of the Scum and Dross, and Garbage of the Land; That most accursed Confederacy, made up of G •… bal and Ammon, and Amalek, Philistins, with the Inhabitants of Tyre, of Iesuits, and Papists, and Atheists; of Schismaticall and Infamous Persons in all kinds; with that Bloudy and Butcherly Generation, commonly known by the name of Cavaliers. Io. Goodwins Anti-Cavalierism. P. 2.

(4) Qu. What is your Name? An. Cavalier. Qu. Who gave you that name? An. My Seducers and deceivers in my Innocency, wherein I was made a Member of the Church of Rome, and consequently a Limb of Anti-Christ, an Enemy to all Godliness, a Child of the Devil, and an Inheritor of the Kingdom of Darkness, amongst the Infernall Spirits that Rule in the air of this Terrestriall Globe. Watsons Cavaliers Catechism. 1643. P. 25.

(5) To Call a man Defender of the Faith, who is a Persecutor of it: o call a Prophane Tyrant, Gracious; O what Abomina •… le Falsity and Flattery is this? To call Wicked, Perjur'd, Prophane Lukes, or Bloudy-minded Popish Arch-Bishops, your Grace; what is it less then Blasphemy? it were Fitter to call them your Vice, then your Grace. Mene Tekel, P. 60.

(6) There is very little Difference between Devils and Wicked men. I may say without breach of Charity, Devils Incarnate are made Subject this day; and their Subjection's the Subject of this days rejoycing. Caryl on Luke 10. 20. P. 22.

(7) This is the Curse of God on that Party; Notwithstanding God sets himself against them, yet they will not come in and Repent, for God takes no pleasure in them to give them Repentance. Butroughs on I say 66. 10. P. 58. 59.

(8) If the Retinue of Iim and Ojim about his Majesties Person, Those Hairy Apostates from Humanity it self, be in the Bishops Judgment, the service of God; well may he say that the King suffers for the Protection of the Service of God. Or if the Ruine or Destruction of the Lamb by those walking Sacks of Bloud, the Cavaliers, be the Preservation of our Laws from Corrupt Interpretation, It is somewhat a Tolerable Conjecture to think the King may suffer by it. Os Ossorianum. Io. Goodwin. P. 21.

(9) The Cavaliers Catcekism: Or the Reformed Protestant, Catechising the Anti-Christian Papists, Malignants, Incendiaries, and other ill-Affected Persons under the name of CAVALIERS.

(10) I went (saith he [The King] of his going to the House of Commons) attended with some Gentlemen; Gentlemen indeed; the ragged •… fantry of Stews and Brothels; the Spawn and Shipwrack of Taverns and Dicing-Houses. Iconoclastes. P. 25.

A Prayer for the Preservation of his Majesties Person, &c. Priest. Right Responds. (11) O Lord Guard the Person of thy Servant the King. From Jesuites, Papists, Irish Rebels, and Evil Councellors about him. People. Resp. Who putteth his Trust in thee. Not we hope in the Arm of Flesh, as Cavaliers, Delinquents, and such Enemies to the Kingdom. Priest. Resp. Send him and his Armies help from thy holy Place. Not from Denmark, Belgia, France, Spain, and Ireland. People. Resp. And evermore mightily defend them. From the Insinuations of Incendiaries & other Promoters of this War. Priest. Resp. Confound the Designs of all those that are risen up against him. To withdraw him from his Parliament, and the Protection of his best Subjects. People. Resp. And let not their Rebellious Wickedness approach near to hurt him. Nor any more to Rob, Spoil, and Kill the Poor People of this Nation. Priest. Resp. Oh Lord hear our Prayer. That our King may speedily return home from destructive Misleaders. People. Resp. And let our Cry come unto thee. And the Cry of thy Peoples blood, in Ireland, and England.

Cavaliers New Common-Prayer-Book Unclasp'd. P. 3.

(12) The Woful Miscarriages of the King himself, which we cannot but acknowledg to be many and very Great in his Government, that have Cost the Three Kingdoms so Dear, and cast him down from his Excellency into a Horrid Pit of Misery, almost beyond Example, &c. Vindication of the 59 London Ministers, P. 6. 7.

(13) The Kings Letter, full indeed of much Evil, and Demonstration of no Change of Heart, from his former Bloody, Cruel and Unkingly Practices, of the Ruin of himself and his Kingdom, as much as in him lay. Vicars Chron. P. 43.

(14) All Good Consciences shall Condemn that Course: It shall be Easier for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Judgment, than for such a Court. Admonition to the Parliament. P. 3.

Notes on §. 5.

THis Section is of the same Spirit with the former, and only a Malevolent Continuation of the same design, for the overturning of the Government, by rendring the King, his Majesties Ministers, and his Friends, and the whole Frame of the Civil State, Despicable, and as Odious as the other did the Bishops and the Clergy. What a Rabble of Bug-words have we here hudled together in the First Paragraph? (Num. 1) What a Diabolical, and Uncharitable Iudgment pronounc'd upon the whole Party of the King? (2 and 3) What an irreverent Mockery upon the Catechism of the Church? (4) What can be more Insolent toward the Person of our Sovereign? (5) How Rude, and how Un-Christian is the Character pronounc'd upon the Cavaliers? (From 6 to 11.) And then see the Turning of his late Majesties Devotions, in his distress, into Droll and Buffon. (11) The lewd Reproaches cast upon That Pious Prince in the depth of his Afflictions, by the London Ministers, even in their Pretended Service to him: (12) The Clamorous Outrage of Vicars's Revilings: (13) And the Parliament as ill treated by Others of the same Stamp, as these People treated the King.

§. 6. The Presbyterians Opinion of the Covenant.

(1) THE Covenant was the Parliaments Sword and Buckler; for when the Cavaliers shall see ye come Armed with the Covenant, they will Run, Run, Run from the Presence of the Lord of Hosts. Colemans Exhortation-Sermon to the Commons.

(2) As God did swear for the Salvation of Men, and of Kingdoms; so Kingdoms must now Swear for the Preservation and Salvation of Kingdoms, to Establish our Saviour Iesus Christ in England. Nye upon the Covenant.

(3) We Know (O Lord) that Abraham made a Covenant; and Moses and David made a Covenant, and our Saviour made a Covenant; but Thy PARLIAMENTS Covenant is the Greatest of All Covenants. A Lay-Preacher at Banbury in his Prayer.

(4) Look upon your Covenant, I beseech ye, and do Justice upon Delinquents Impartially, and without Respect of Persons. Palmer to the Commons, Aug. 13. 1644. P. 48.

(5) None but an Atheist, Papist, Oppressor, Rebel, or the Guilty Desperate Cavaliers, and Light and Empty men can Refuse the Covenant. Coleman, Sep. 27. 1643. P. 23.

(6) This Despised Covenant shall Ruin Malignants, Sectaries and Atheists: Yet a little while, and behold he cometh, and walketh in the greatness of his strength, and his Garments Dyed with Blood. Oh for the Sad and Terrible day of the Lord upon England; their Ships of Tharshish; their Fenced Cities, &c. Because of a Broken Covenant. Rutherfords Letters. P. 555.

(7) I think it my last Duty to Enter a Protestation in Heaven, before the Righteous Judge, against the Practical and Legal Breach of Covenant, and All Oaths Impos'd on the Consciences of the Lords People, and All Popish, Superstitious Mandates of men. Ruth. Lett. P. 575.

(8) In the League and Covenant, that have been so Solemnly and Publiquely Sworn, and Renewed by this Kingdom, the Duty of Defending, and Preserving the Kings Majesties Person, and Authority, is Joyned with, and Subordinate to the Duty of Preserving and Defending the True Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms. Gillespy's Useful Cases of Conscience. P. 55, 56.

(9) Look upon the Covenant to which we have Lift up our Hands. I Tremble when I read it. We Covenanted, not only against Prel •… ey, but Popery; not only Hierarchy, but Heresie; not only Sin but Schism. Watson to the Commons. Decemb. 27. 1649.

(10) Will not these Abjurers of the Covenant, of All others, be the very Chief of Sinners, whilst they become Guilty of no less then the very Sin against the Holy Ghost? Or at least border as near to it as possibly may be? O amazing Vengeance! Oh most dreadful of all Iudicial Strokes that can fall upon the Reprobate minds of men! May not the dismal Doom of Francis Spira be here remembred? and Solomons Backslider in Heart, who shall be fill'd with his own ways? Prov. 14. 14. Though to commit Murther upon the High-way, and to do it deliberately, and in cool blood too, be a most horrid Crime against the very Light of Nature, and against the second Table; yet how short doth it come of This; the highest of all Crimes imaginable? A Crime that murthers Conscience! that murthers Souls! that murthers Religion it self! a Crime against the First Table! most immediately against the Sovereign God! and the greatest of that nature, that men can be guilty of. Three Mens Speeches. P. 6.

(11) Q. Whether seeing the Covenant was made to God Almighty, All Persons by the Covenant were not bound to bring Delinquents to Punishment? And whether the Long Parliament did not Declare the Late King to be a Delinquent, let God and the World judge? The Valley of Achor, 1660. Q. 16.

(12) I do Solemnly declare, as a dying man, who dare not dissemble; that as I thought, and still aver that the Erecting of this Abjured Prelacy is the Cause of much of the Sin in the Land, and of all the Sufferings of the Lords People▪ So I had no worse Design, then the Restoring of the work of Reformation according to the Covenant, and more Particularly, the Extirpation of Prelacy▪ &c. Naphtali. The Testimony of Alexander Robertson, P. 229.

(13) Oh might this Privilege be offered to the Apostate Angels, which kept not the Covenant of their Creation, nor consequently their First Estate, and to the rest of the Damned Souls in Hell? Would God send an Angel from Heaven to Preach unto them a Second Covenant, upon the laying hold whereon, and closing wherewith, they might be receiv'd into Grace and Favour: How would those poor Damned Spirits bestir themselves? What Rattling of their Red hot Chains? What shaking of their Fiery Locks? In a word; What an uproar of Joy would there be in Hell, upon such Glad Tydings? Case's Quarrel of the Covenant. Dec. 1643. P. 60.

(14) There is much Sin in making a Covenant on sinful Grounds, and there is more Sin in keeping it; but when the Preservation of True Religion, and the Vindication of Iust Liberties, meet in the Ground-work, ye may Swear, and not Repent; yea, if you Swear, you must not Repent. Caryl, Oct. 6. 1643. P. 18.

(15) Let them first shave their Heads, and pare their Nails, as the strange Virgin of Old was commanded to do, and so let them enter into that Sacred and Dreadful Covenant. Bond to the Commons on Isa. 25. 9. Oct. 8. 1645. P. 37.

Notes upon §. 6.

IT is but suitable that the Blasphemy, Heresy, and Sedition that went to the Framing of this Oath of Conspiracy, should be follow'd with an answerable measure of Wickedness, in the promoting of it, and in the Execution: Whereof you have here Three Notorious Instances. (Num. 1, 2, 3.) And a Clause that draws Blood upon the King himself. (4) A Brand upon all the Refusers of it; (5) And another Sanguinary Clause. (6) A Protestation against Soveraign Authority. (7) And a Jesuitical Exposition of the meaning of it. (8. 9.) The Breach of it, no less than a Sin against the Holy Ghost. (10) And the Murther of the Late King Iustifi'd, upon the Obligation of it. (11) The Malice of the Confederacy own'd at the last Gasp. (12) A most Impious and Phantastical Exaggeration of the blessed Privileges of that Brand. (13) The Cheat. (14) And a Foppish Allusion to the pretended Solemnity and Sacredness of it. (15) So that upon the main, the Covenanters do assert, First, the Indissolvable Tye of That Oath: Secondly, the Intent of it to be the Dissolution of the Government: And in the Third place, so often as every they move for a Toleration, they do as good as desire the King in plain Terms, That he will be Graciously pleased to give them leave to serve his Majesty as they did his Father.

§. 7. Dissenters Liberty of Conscience.

(1) THat there may be a Thorough and Speedy Proceeding against Blind Guides, and Scandalous Ministers, by whose Wickedness People either Lack or Loath the Ordinances of the Lord; and Thousands of Souls Perish, and the removal of the Ark from among us, is (to the Trembling of our Hearts) evidently Threatned. And that your Wisdoms would find out some way to admit into the Ministry such Godly and Hopeful men as have prepared themselves, and are willing thereunto; without which, there will be such a scarcity of Able and Faithful Ministers, that it will be to little purpose to cast out such as are Unable, Idle, or Scandalous. The Assemblies Petition to both Houses of Parliament, July 19. 1643. Husbands Collections, (Part 2) fol. 241.

His Highness, by the Advice of his Council doth Publish, Declare, and Order that no Person or Persons aforesaid, do, from and after the First day of January, 1655. keep in their Houses or Families as Chaplains, or School-Masters for the Education of their Children, any Sequester'd or Ejected Minister, Fellow of a College, or School-Master, nor permit any of their Children to be taught by such, upon pain of being proceeded against in such sort as the said Orders do direct in such Cases. And that no person who hath been Sequestred, or Ejected out of any Benefice, College, or School, for Delinquency, or Scandal, shall from and after the First day of January, keep any School either Publick or Private, nor any Person who after that time shall be Ejected for the Causes aforesaid.

(3) And that no Person, who for Delinquency, or •… candal, hath been Sequester'd or Ejected, shall from and after the First day of January aforesaid, Preach in any Publick place, or at any Private Meeting of any other Persons then those of his own Family; nor shall administer Baptism, or the Lords Supper, or Marry any Persons, or use the Book of Common Prayer, or the Forms of Prayer therein contained, upon pain that every Person so offending in any of the Premises, shall be proceeded against as by the said Order is provided and directed. Olivers Declaration, Nov. 24. 1655.

A Confession of Faith to be agreed by your Highness, and the Parliament, according to the Rule and Warrant of the Scriptures, to be asserted, held forth and recommended to the People of these Nations, so that this Liberty be not extended to Popery or PRELACT. Humble Petition and Advice. May 25. 1657.

Notes on §. 7.

NOT to cloy the Reader with Repetitions out of my First Part, upon this subject; I shall pass over the whole History of the Late Persecution, with this short Note upon't: That as it was levell'd at the Destruction both of Church and State, so it fell heaviest upon persons of Condition, Honesty, and Letters, as the men most sensible of the Tyes of Honour and Duty. And I shall now content my self with these few Instances of the Rigour of those times; which methinks might stop the mouths of those that cry out so loud against the Uncompassionate severity of the present Age.

What were the Blind Guides, and Scandalous Ministers, &c. (Num. 1) but the Canonical Clergy, that were forc'd away from their Livings, and their Families, by a Popular Rage and Violence, under the countenance of that Diabolical Slander? Neither was the loss of their Lawful Possessions, and the Ordinary Comforts of Life sufficient to Expiate for their Piety, Integrity and Virtue, without their Adversaries doing as much as in them lay, to Starve them too. (2 and 3) And this was the Liberty of Conscience of those days. Is it not a Reasonable Proposition now, for those men that gave no quarter to the Church upon that Revolution, to Mutiny for the same Liberty again of Destroying it? And for the whole Schism that from time to time, by Common Agreement, Excluded the Prelacy, to Expect that the Ecclesiastical Government should be now torn to pieces in their favour?

§. 8. The Power of the Kirk.

(1) IF the Prince, with Gideon, Nadab, Abihu, and Saul, will intermeddle with Gods Warrant, as she (Q. Eliz.) hath done with matters of Religion, with God's matters, she must think it no Injury to be Disobey'd. Soldier of Berwick Cited by the Author of an Answer to a Factious Libel, Entitled, An Abstract of several Acts of Parliament, &c.

(2) Kings no less then the Rest, must obey and yield to the Just Authority of the Ecclesiastical Magistrates. Ecclesiastical Discip. P. 142.

(3) The Consistory may, and ought to admonish the Magistrate, which is negligent in Punishing Vice. Danaeus. Par. 2. Isag. li. 2. Cap. 62. And also may upon Knowledge of the Cause taken, Excommunicate, even the Chief Magistrate, unto the which he ought to submit himself. Ibid. ca. 67.

(4) Princes must remember to subject themselves to the Church, and to submit their Scepters, to throw down their Crowns before the Church; yea to Lick the dust of the Feet of the Church. T. Cartwright. P. 645.

(5) Every Eldership is the Tribunal Seat of Christ. Beza de Presb. P. 124.

(6) The Holy Discipline ought to be set up, and All Princes to submit themselves under the Yoke of it: What Prince, King, or Emperour shall Disanul the same; he is to be reputed Gods Enemy, and to be held unworthy to Reign above his People. Knox Exhort. to Eng. P. 91. &c.

(7) Our Church-History tells, that Mr. Andrew Melvin, that Faithful and Zealous Servant of Christ, would not answer before the King and the Council for his Alledged Treasonable Discourse in a Sermon, until he had first given in a Plain and Formal Protestation; and the like was done by Worthy Mr. David Blake upon the like occasion; and the Protestation was Approved, and Signed by a good Part of the Church of Scotland, 1596. Hist. Indul. P. 14.

(8) The Irreligiousness, Antichristianism and Exorbitancy of this Explicatory, and (as to some things) Ampliatory Act, and Assertion of the Kings Supremacy in Church-Affairs (of Nov. 16. 1669) this Supra-Papal Supremacy. Hist. Indul. P. 27.

(9) The Accepters of the Indulgence are Chargeable with High Treason against the King of Kings, our Lord Iesus Christ. Hist. Indul. p. 86.

(10) Christ breaks and moulds Commonwealths at his Pleasure. He hath not spoke much in his Word, how long they shall last, or what he intends to do with them: Only this, That all Kings and Kingdoms that make War against the Church, shall be broken a pieces; and that in the end, All the Kingdoms of the World shall be the Kingdoms of our Lord, and his Saints; and they shall reign over them. Marshal to the Commons, June 15. 1643. p. 47.

(11) What was our Posture and Practice, after we had so stupidly stood by, till we saw the whole work overturn'd, without offering to Interpose effectually to prevent its ruine, or to fall with it? Hist. of Indulgence, Pref. 1678. (Speaking of the Action of Bothwell-Bridge.)

(12) The Father having given to Christ all Power, both in Heaven and in Earth, and the Rule and Regiment of this Kingdom, he hath Committed to Monarchies, Aristocracies or Democracies, as the several Combinations and Associations of the People shall between themselves think good to Elect and Erect. God leaves People to their own Liberty in this Case. Case on Isaiah, 43. 4. p. 26.

(13) They were carrying on a Malignant Interest; to wit, The Establishing the King in the Exercise of his Power in Scotland, and the Re-investing him with the Government in England, when he had not yet Abandoned his Former Enmity to the Work and People of God; and the securing of Power in their own hands under him. Gillespies Useful Case of Conscience. p. 66.

(14) There was a sin in the Peoples Joyning, because few or none of those who did Joyn, did give any Testimony against the Magistrates Employing of the Malignant Party. Ibid.

(15) After the Treaty was brought to some close, the King did, before his coming to Sea, Receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper from one of the Prelatical Chaplains, and according to the Service-Book, &c. notwithstanding the Commissioners of the Kirk did represent the Evil thereof to him. Gillespies Useful Case of Conscience Discuss'd. p. 56. Another Exception, That the King did not think his Father Guilty of Blood. Ibid.

(16) Was there not Cause to Scruple at the taking of this Oath [of Allegeance] which would have Imported, 1. A Condemning of the Convention of Estates in Scotland, 1643. 2. A Condemning of the Parliaments, An. 1640. 41. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. As also the Committees and Parliaments thereafter, An. 1649. 1650. 1651. 3. A Condemning of all the Acts made by These Parliaments. 4. A Condemning of all the Meetings, Councils, and Conventions of the Subjects, at the beginning of the Late work of Reformation. 5. A Condemning of the League and Covenant. 6. A Condemning of Scotlands Joyning with, and Helping of England in the day of their streight. 7. A Condemning of the Renewing of the National Covenant, 1638. 1639. 8. A Condemning of the General Assembly, 1638. and several others thereafter. 9. A Condemning of Scotlands Rising in Arms in their own Defence against the Popish, Prelatical, and Malignant Party. 10. A Condemning of their seizing upon Forts and Castles in their own Defence [An Apol •… getical Relation of the Sufferings of the Scotch Ministers, 1665. p. 127. 128.]

(17) We ought to consider (the Conditions of the Kings Letter of Indulgence to the Kirk, Iune 7. 1669.) what is accounted living Peaceably, and Orderly, by such as propose this Qualification: And that sure to speak it in the smoothest of Ter •… s, is a Negative Compliance with all their Tyranny, Oppression of Church and Country, Blood-shed, Overturning of the Work of God, Establishing Iniquity by Law, Perjury, Apostacy, Re-establishing of Perjur'd Prelates, and Abjured Prelacy. Hist. of Indulg. p. 7.

(18) We Remarque further, that the Letter saith, that none of these Ministers have any Seditious Discourses or Expressions in Pulpit or Elsewhere: And what is understood here, by Seditious Discourses or Expressions we cannot be Ignorant? But now what Conscientious Ministers can either Tacitly promise such a thing, or upon the Highest Peril, forbear to Utter such Discourses? Or who can think that any such thing can be yielded unto, who considereth what God requireth of Ministers, in Reference to a Corrupted and Apostatized state? And what the weight of the Blood of Souls is. Hist. Indul. p. 11.

(19) The Unparallel'd Perfidy, and Breach of Covenant: The most Abominable, Irreligious, Inhumane, and Tyrannical Acts made for Establishing of this Wicked Course of Defection. Hist. Indul. p. 12.

(20) Christ and his Apostles were the Greatest of Conventicle Preachers, and almost Preached no other way, wanting always the Authority of the Supream Magistrate, and yet not waiting upon their Indulgence. Hist. Indul. p. 17.

(21) They have power to Abrogate and Abolish all Statues and Ordinances concerning Ecclesiastical matters that are found Noysom and Unprofitable; and agree not with the time, or are abused by the People. 2 Book of Discipline, cap. 7. [To Discipline must all the Estates within this Realm be Subject, as well the Rulers, as they that are Ruled. 1 Lib. Disc. cap. 7.

(22) As the Ministers, and others of the Ecclesiastical State are subject to the Magistrate-Civil, so ought the Person of the Magistrate be subject to the Kirk Spiritually, and in Ecclesiastical Government. 2 Lib. Disc. c. 1.

(23) As Ministers are Subject to the Judgment and Punishment of the Magistrate in External things, if they offend; so ought the Magistrates to submit themselves to the Discipline of the Kirk, if they transgress in matters of Conscience and Religion. Ibid.

(24) The National Assemblies of This Country (called commonly the General Assemblies) ought always to be retained in their own Liberty, and have their own place; with Power to the Kirk to appoint Times and Places, and Convenient for the same: And all men, as well Magistrates as Inferiors, to be subject to the Judgment of the same, in Ecclesiastical Causes, without any Reclamation, or Appellation to any Judge, Civil, or Ecclesiastical within the Realm. 2 Lib. Disc. c. 12.

(25) The Princes and Magistrates not being Exemed, and these that are Placed in the Ecclesiastical Estate, Rightly Ruling, Governing, God shall be Glorified, &c. 2 Lib. Disc. c. 13.

(26) The Ministers Exerce not the Civil Jurisdiction; but teach the Magistrate how it should be Exercised according to the word.

(27) To Disobey or Resist any that God hath placed in Authority (while they pass not over the Bounds of their office) we Confess, or Affirm to be sin. Large Confess. Art. 15.

(28) We Confess and Avow that such as resist the Supream Power, doing that thing which appertaineth to his Charge, do resist God's Ordinance, and therefore cannot be Guiltless, Ibid. Art. 25.

(29) Blasphemy, Adultery, Murder, Perjury, and other Crimes Capital, worthy of death, ought not properly to f •… ll under Censure of the Kirk, because all such open Transgressors of Gods Law ought to be taken away by the Civil Sword. 1 Book of Discip. cap. 7.

(30) In the fear of God, we signifie unto your Honours, that whosoever persuades you that ye may pardon where God Commandeth Death, deceives your Souls, and provokes you to offend God's Majesty. 1 Book of Disc. cap. 9.

(31) The Magistrate Commandeth External things for external Peace and Quietness among the Subjects: The Minister handleth External things only for Conscience-cause. 2 Lib. Disc. cap. 1.

(32) If the Offender abide an Assise, and by the same be Absolved, then may not the Church pronounce Excommunication; but justly may exhort the man, by whose hand the Blood was shed to enter into Consideration with himself how precious is the Life of man before God, and how severely God commandeth Blood, howsoever it be shed, except it be by the Sword of the Magistrate, to be punished: And so may Enjoyn unto him such satisfaction, to be made publick to the Church, as may bear Testification of his obedience and unfeigned Repentance. Psalm-Book in the order of Excommunication.

(33) Wanton and Vain words, Uncomly Gestures, Negligence in hearing the Preaching, or Abstaining from the Lords Table, when it is publiquely Ministred; suspicion of Avarice, or of Pride; Superfluity or Riotousness in Chear or Raiment: These We say, and such others, that of the world are not regarded, deserve admonition amongst the Members of Christs Body——If he continues Stubborn, then the Third Sunday ought he to be Charged Publiquely, to satisfie the Church for his Offence and Contempt, under the pain of Excommunication. Psalm Book in the Order of Publique Repentance.

(34) It is Ordained, that every Thursday, the Ministers and Elders in their Assembly or Consistory, diligently Examine all such faults and suspicions as may be espied, not only amongst others, but chiefly amongst themselves. Psalm-Book. Sect. of the weekly Assembly.

(35) In every Notable Town, we Require that one day beside the Sunday be appointed to the Sermon and Prayers; which during the time of Sermon, must be kept from all Exercise of Labour, as well of the Master as the Servant. 1 Lib. Disc. cap. 9. of Policy.

Notes on §. 8.

THere can be no better Antidote against the Poyson of a Presbyteria •… Government, than the very Orders of their Discipline, which are the most Unanswerable Condemnation of the Party. You have here a more than Papal Tyranny in the Usurpations of the Kirk over Kings and Princes in the 6 first Clauses: Treason it self exempted from the Cognizance of the Civil Power. (Num. 7.) The Kings Supremacy not only disclaimed, but the bare acknowledgment of it made Criminal. (8 & 9) All the Governments of the World subjected to the Holy Discipline, and Rebellion it self abetted and maintained. (10 & 11) Sovereign Power Vested in the Multitude. (12) The Restoring of the King Condemn'd. (13 & 14) And the Objections against it; his receiving the Sacrament from a Prelatical hand, according to the Order of the Church, and the Charging his Father with the Guilt of Blo •… d. (15) The Taking of the O •… th of Allegiance and the Acceptance of the Kings Indulgence pronounced utterly Unlawful (17 18, 19) Conventicle-Preachers Warranted from the Precedent of Christ and his Apostles. (20) The Ministers above their Sovereign. (21, 22, 23 24.) Princes upon their Good Behaviour, and accountable to the Presbytery, if they transgress their Bounds (25, 26, 27, 28.) The Power of Life and Death taken from the Magistrate. (29, 3 •… ,) The Minister Us •… rps the Civil Power. (31) The Presbytery take upon them to punish Malefactors when the Law has acquitted them. (32) And call People to account for their very Thoughts, Cloaths, Gestures, nay a suspition is enough to make a body lyable to their Censure. (33) They make Two Sabba •… hs in the Week more than God ever Commanded; and by the same Authority they may set apa •… t all the rest. (34. 35.) This is enough said to shew the Shameful and Intolerable Rigour of that Government.

§. 9. Principles and Positions.

(1) WHEN the Supream Magistrate will not Execute the Judgment of the Lord, those who made him Supream Magistrate under God, who have under God, Sovereign Liberty to dispose of Crowns and Kingdoms, are to Execute the Judgment of the Lord, when Wicked men make the Law of God of none Effect, 1 Sam. 15. 32. so Samuel killed Ag •… g, whom the Lord expresly Commanded to be kill'd, because Saul disobey'd the Voice of the Lord. Lex Rex. p. 173.

(2) Shall it Excuse the States to say, We could not judge the Cause of the Poor, nor Crush the Priests of Baal, and the Idolatrous Mass▪Prelates, because the King forbad us? Lex Rex. p. 175.

(3) The Kings Power is Fiduciary, and put in his hand upon Trust, and must be Ministerial, and borrow'd from those who put him in trust, and so his Power must be Less, and derived from the Parliament. Lex Rex. p. 177.

(4) The Magistrate hath no Power to suppose things Doubtful and Disputable, upon the Practice of any in the Service of God; and therefore it cannot be lawful for any to obey him when he so Imposes. E. Bagshaw of things Indifferent. Part. 2. p. 3.

(5) Our Fundamentals were not made by our Representatives, but by the People themselves; and our Representatives themselves limited by them; which it were Good that Parliaments as well as People would observe and be faithful to: For no Derivative Power can Null what their Primitive Power hath Established. The English-man. p. 11.

(6) Royal Primogeniture alone, without the Peoples consent, is no Rightful Title to the Government; nor hath the Eldest Son, or Heir of the King, any Right to the Government by Birth, unless the People consent to chuse him thereto. Mene-Tekel. p. 10.

(7) The Parliaments of England, and often the People without the Parliament, have (in their Addresses to the King) given him the Title of Lord, in a way of Honour and Respect; but when he hath refused to perform his Duty to them, and endeavoured by his Unlawful Prerogative to abridge them of their Liberties, they have made him understand his Relation, and by force of Arms Asserted their own Privileges, and sometimes compelled the King to Perform his Duty, other times Deposed him from the Government; as the People of Israel did Rehoboam upon the same account; and so have most, if not all the Nations in the World done the same. Ibid. pag. 36.

(8) Rising up against Authority it self, the Ordinance of God, and Disobeying the Powers therewith vested, standing and acting in their Right Line of Subordination, is indeed Rebellion, and as the sin of Witchcraft; but to Resist, and Rise up against Persons Abusing Sacred Authority, and Rebelling against God, the Supream, is rather to adhere to God as our Liege Lord, and to Vindicate both our selves and his Abused Ordinance from Man's Wickedness and Tyranny. Naphtali. p. 157.

(9) The Power of the King Abused to the Destruction of Laws, Religion, and Subjects, is a Power contrary to Law, Evil, and Tyrannical, and Tyeth no man to subjection. Lex Rex. p. 261.

(10) If we consider the Fountain-Power, the King is Subordinate to Parliament, and not Co-ordinate, for the Constituent is above that which is Constituted. Lex Rex. p. 377.

(11) Whensoever a King, or other Supream Authority Creates an Inferiour, they Invest it with a Legitimacy of Magistratical Power to punish themselves also in case they prove evil doers; yea, and to act any other thing requisite for the Praise and Encouragement of the Good. Io. Goodwins Right and Might well met, 1648. p. 7.

(12) The People is not King formally, because the People is eminently more than the King; for they make David King, and Saul King. Lex Rex. p. 156.

(13) The Laws are in the hands of the Parliament to Change or Abrogate as they shall see best for the Common-wealth; even to the taking away of Kingship it self, when it grows too Masterful and Burdensome. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . p. 101.

(14) The Parliament sit in that body, not as his Subjects, but as his Superiors, call'd, not by him, but by the Law; not only twice every year, but as oft as great affaire require, to be his Counsellors and Dictators, though he stomack it, nor to be Dissolved at his pleasure, but when all Grievances be first removed, all Petitions heard and answered. Ibid. p. 110.

(15) Our Covenant was not taken without the Royal Authority of the King, though it be Condemn'd by his Personal Command; for as long as this Parliament of England continueth, the Royal Authority and Power is annexed to it, by vertue of that Act of Continuance: So that the King of England, in his Power, may still be at Westminster, though King Charles in his Person be at Oxford, or elsewhere. The Covenanters Catechism, 1644. p. 16.

(16) If a People that by Oath and Duty are obliged to a Sovereign, shall sinfully Dispossess him, and contrary to their Covenants, chuse and Covenant with another; they may be Obliged by their latter Covenants, notwithstanding the former. Ho. Com. p 188.

(17) Though the Perfidious Parliament (or rather Mock Parliament) have lately betrayed their own Trust, and our Liberties; making it Treason for us to mention the Cruel Tyranny and Oppression we groan under; yet by the Ancient Laws of England, this Man that Rules at present, is no Rightful King of England; but by Oppressing the Nation, and Persecuting the Lords People, hath loss the Title of a King, and the Name of a King doth not agree to him, but Tyrant is the Name due to him. Mene-Tekel. p. 63.

(18) Q. Whether the Title of Supream, be not rather Nominal than Real? Valley of Acbor. p. 1.

(19) Our War has been proved over and over (to Unbiast Consciences) to be Just. Caryl to the Commons. April 23. 1644. p. 15.

(20) If the King raise War against the Parliament upon their Declaration of the Dangers of the Common-wealth, in that case people may not only Resist him, but also he Ceases to be a King. Baxter, H. Common-wealth. Thes. 368.

(21) It is our Duty to yield to this Authority all Active and Chearful Obedience in the Lord, even for Conscience sake. Ibid.

(22) A Refusal to be subject to this Authority, under the pretence of Upholding the Title of any One upon Earth, is a Refusal to Acquiesce in the Wise and Righteous pleasure of God. Ienkins Petition. Printed Oct. 15. 1651.

(23) The King must Command, not only according to God's, but Man's Laws: And if he do not so Command, the Resistance is not a Resistance of Power; but Will. Bridges to the Commons, Feb. 7. 1642. Pref.

(24) Let not the Sons of Belial say there is no Law now; let them not be as when there was no King in Israel, every man doing that which was right in his own eyes; let them know that the Kingly Power Resides in the High Court of Parliament. Pickering. No. 27. 1649. Epist. Ded.

(25) Subjects do promise Obedience, that the Magistrate might help them; which if he do not, they are discharg'd of their Obedience. Goodman. p. 190.

(26) Judges ought by the Law of God to Summon Princes before them for their Crimes, and to proceed against them as against all other Offenders. Obedience. p. 111.

(27) Scotland fought for themselves, and their own safety; and whatever Law will Warrant Nations now to joyn together against the Turk, will Warrant Scotland their joyning with England against their Common-Enemy. Apologet. Relat. p. 138.

(28) A War raised by the Parliament against the Common Enemy, in defence of the Kings Honour, the safety of the People, and the Purity of Religion, cannot be Condemned as Unjust and Illegal. Apol. Rel. p. 142.

(29) It was the common practice of the Parliaments of Scotland (and Lex currit cum Praxi) to rise in Arms against their Kings, when they turned Tyrants. Ibid. 143.

(30) It is lawful for the Inferiour and Subordinate Magistrates to defend the Church and Common-wealth, when the Supream Magistrate degenerates and falleth into Tyranny, or Idolatry; for Kings are subject to their Common-wealths. Canterburies Doom. p. 290. &c.

(31) The Parliament have declar'd the Supream Power to be in themselves Exclusively without a King or House of Lords. And they are the Powers that now are, as hath been cleared. Saunders. Mar. 23. 1650. p. 24.

(32) It is altogether Lawful for the Parliament to take up Arms for the Defence of the Liberty, or any other Imaginable Cause against any Party Countenanced by the Kings Presence against his Laws. Baylyes Review. p. 83.

(33) The Votes, Orders, and Ordinances of the Lords and Commons in Parliament, even without or against the Kings Personal Command, are to be obey'd and observ'd. C •… oftons fastening of St. Peters Fetters. p. 118.

(34) A Reformation is setled by Highest Authority, in despight of Papists, Prelate, Pope or Devil. Staunton to the Commons. April 24. 1644. p. 24.

(35) Is it so high a Crime for the Great Council of the Nation to determine things necessary for the safety of King and Kingdom, without consent of his Majesty, when it cannot be obtained? Newcomen to the Commons. Nov. 5. 1642. p. 48.

(36) You are Ambassadors of the Greatest King. The Great things of Heaven and Earth are committed to your care; the Glory of Iehovah, the Gospel of Christ, the Welfare of Churches, the Good of Kingdoms, and in some respect, of the whole Christian world, is in your hands. Greenhil to the Commons. April 26. 1643. p. 45.

(37) There is no danger in Resisting Acts of Tyranny; for Tyrants exercising Tyranny, are no Terror to Evil doers. Apol. Rel. 154.

(38) The Authority and Gods Ordinance can never do wrong; but the Corrupt Person placed in Authority may offend, so that the King as King, is one thing, and the King acting Tyranny is another thing. Knox Hist. Li. 2. p. 141.

Notes on §. 9.

THE King render'd Accountable to his Subjects. (Num. 1, 2.) His Power Fiduciary, and not to be obey'd in doubtful Cases. (3, 4) The People the Fountain of Power. (5, 6.) And may Depose their Sovereign if he fails in his Duty. (7) The Abuse of his Power is the forfeiture of it. (8, 9.) His Parliament is above him. (10, 11.) And so are the People. (12. The Parliament are his Superiors, and may Depose him. (13, 14.) The Kings Power at Westminster, though his Person may be at Oxford. (15) The People may discharge themselves of their Allegiance. (16) The Crown forfeitable and f •… rfeited. (17) Supremacy only a Complement. (18) The late War justifi'd, and the Resistance Lawful. (19, 20.) Cromwel to be Obey'd for Conscienoe sake. (21, 22.) Resistance allowable. (23) The Parliament are Supream, and the Subjects Obedience Conditional. (24, 25.) Princes Punishable as well as others. (26) The Scottish Invasion defended. (27, 28.) And the taking up of Arms against Tyrants. (29) Kings subject to their States. (30) The Commons, and the Parliament-War defended (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, & 36.) Tyranny is not Gods Ordinance. (37, 38.) Let the Reader judge now what any man can design, that exposes and supports these Positions, but the Ruin of the Government.

§. 10. Tumults Encouraged, And chiefly by the [Able, Holy, Faithful, Laborious, and Truly-Peaceable Preachers of the Gospel:] Petition for Peace. P. 4.

(1) IT is not unknown, nor unobserved by the Wise, that the Ministers have been very serviceable to the Civil State, and to the Military too: Not only by their Supplications to God for good success in all their Undertakings, and their happy Proceedings in all their Warlike Marches and Motions, as at the Removal of the Ark, (Num. 10. 35.) Rise up Lord, and let thine Enemies be scatter'd; Let them that hate thee flee before thee. But (2) By their Informations; and (3) Solicitations of the People to Engage both their Estates and Persons in the Case of God and their Country. Iohn Ley's Examination of the New Quere, 1646. Epis. Ded. to the Lord Mayor.

(2) And we do not Repent of any part of our Pains, or Pressures, or Perils, so long as we may be Serviceable to so good a Cause, and to such Good and Gracious Masters, as under Christ they [The Parliament] have hitherto approved themselves towards us: And I hope we may without Boasting, say by way of Apology, that we have not been altogether their unprofitable Servants, in respect (1) of our Interest in, and (2) Endeavours with the People; (without whom the Greatest Kings are rather Cyphers than Figures, and destitute both of Honour and Safety, Prov. 14. 28) (1) To Inform their Iudgments, and (2) to Enflame their Zeal, and (3) to oblige their Consciences, and (4) to Fasten their Affections in Loyalty and Fidelity to those worthy Patriots, whom they have in their Choice and Votes of Election entrusted with the Religion, the Lives and Estates of themselves and their Posterity. Hyde, p. 80. Sect. 22.

(3) After-Ages will Abominate their Baseness and Villanies, that have lifted up their hands against the Parliament: But the Fsthers, the Mordecais, the Religious Patriots, that have acted in this Sphear; the brave Soldiers, whose Lives were not dear unto them; the FAITHFUL MINISTERS, (the Horse-men and the Chariots of Israel) they shall be had in Everlasting Remembrance. Heyrick to the Commons, May. 27. 1646. p. 16.

(4) You are required to Commend to God in your Prayers, the Lord General, the whole Army employ'd in the Parliaments Service, as also in your Sermons effectually to stir up the People, to appear in Person, and to joyn with the Army; to stand up for our Religion and Liberties, as is desired and expected by the Army, and the Committee for the Militia in this City. Penningtons Order to the London Ministers, Ap. 1643.

(5) The work of Reformation still goes on. There we do get ground; as to Perfect a Protestation into a Covenant; to ripen an Impeachment into a Root and Branch: And in a word, to settle an Assembly of Divines as a General Refiners fire, to try all Metals of the Church. Bond. to the Commons. March 27. 1644. p. 56.

(6) The Assembly Petition'd both Houses for a Fast, and the removing of Blind Guides and Scandalous Ministers, destroying all Monuments of Idolatry and Superstition; the Executing of Justice upon all Delinquents, according to the Solemn and Religious Vow and Protestation for that purpose; that so God, who is now by the Sword avenging the Quarrel of his Covenant, beholding the Integrity and Zeal of the Two Houses, might turn from the fierceness of his wrath, hear their Prayers, go forth with their Armies, and perfect the work of Reformation, &c. Ex. Col. July 19. 1643. p. 242.

(7) I must truly tell ye, that before these Late Wars, it pleas'd the Lord to call me by his Grace, through the work of the Ministry; and afterwards keeping a day of Humiliation in Fasting and Prayer, with Mr. Simeon Ash, Mr. Love, Mr. Woodcock, and other Ministers in Laurence-Lane, they did so clearly state the Cause of the Parliament, that I was fully convinc'd in my own Conscience of the Justness of the War; and thereupon Engaged in the Parliaments Service, which (as I did, and do believe) was the Cause of the Lord. I ventur'd my Life freely for it, and now dye for it. Nine Mens Speeches. Axtel at his Execution. p. 89.

(8) It cannot be unknown how much we, and other Ministers of this City and Kingdom, that faithfully adhered to the Parliament, have Injuriously smarted under the scourge of evil Tongues, and Pens, ever since the first Eruption of the Unhappy Differences, and Unnatural War between the King and Parliament, for our Obedience to the Commands and Orders of the Honourable Houses, in their Contests with his Majesty, and Conflicts with his Armi •… s. London-Ministers Vindicati •… n. 1648. p. 1.

(9) When we consider how much it concerns the Honour of our Master, and the good of all, to preserve our Ministerial Function Immaculate, we dare not but stand by, and assert the Integrity of our hearts, and the Innocency of all our actings (in reference to the King and Kingdom) for which we are so much calumniated and traduced. Ibid. p. 3.

(10) Doubtless the Lord is highly displeased with their proccedings in the Treaty at Newport, in reference to Religion and Covenant, concerning which they accepted of such Concessions from his Majesty, as being Acquiesced in, were dangerous and destructive to both. The Kirks Testimony against Toleration. p. 12. 1649.

(11) I pray look on me as one that comes among you this day, to beat a Drum in your Ears, to see who will come out and follow the Lamb. Marshall. 1641.

(12) The Sabbath-day following, next after their Arrival to London from Branford, the Godly and well-affected Ministers, throughout the City, Preached and Praised the Lord publiquely, for their so joyful and safe return home to their Parents, Masters, and Friends, exhorting those young Soldiers of Christ's Army Royal still to retain 〈◊〉 be forward and ready to shew their Courage and Zeal 〈◊〉 of Gods Cause, and their Countrys welfare, shewing 〈◊〉 of their Adversaries to have Introduced Popery and 〈◊〉 Kingdom, and assuring them that this War, on 〈◊〉〈◊〉 waged and managed by Papists, an Army of Papists being 〈◊〉 the Kings Command, contrary to his Vows, Protestations, and deep Asseverations to the contrary. Iehova-Iireh. p. 212.

(13) My House was a Receptacle for Godly Ministers in the worst of times: Here was the Remonstrance fram'd against the Prelates: Here were all meetings, &c. Mr. Calamy's Apology against Burton. 1646.

(14) You must do, and you must do, and yet you must do, and yet ye must do, as long as there is a Penny in thy Purse; as long as there is strength in thy hand; as long as there is breath in thy body, &c. Sedgwick's Speech at Guildhall. Octob. 6. 1643.

(15) I may not omit here to speak of all the Faithful Presbyterian Ministers in this City, as well as through the Country; those Chariots and Horse-men of our Israel, though now forgotten; many of the which, not only ventur'd their Lives in Battel, but by holding up their hands as Moses did, when the People of Israel fought against the Enemy, and by the lifting up their Hearts and Voices to God with strong crys, made all our Armies abroad, and our Counsels at home to prosper, and all our undertakings happily to succeed: Neither is that all, but by their Wisdom, Vigilancy, and Powerful and persuasive Preaching, they were the principal means under God of keeping the People here, and every where, in obedience to the Parliament, by resolving their doubts, satisfying their scruples, and going before the People to their abilities, yea (many of them, to my knowledg, out of zeal to the Cause) beyond their Abilities, in all Contributions, animating and encouraging others to bring in their Plate and Moneys, and whatsoever was of price and esteem with them; exhorting them, now if ever, to stand for their Religion, Lives, Liberties, and the Liberty of the Subject. Bastwicks Appendix to Indep. &c. p. 628.

(16) I am one who out of Choice and Judgment have embarqued my self, my Wife, Children, Estate, and all that's dear to me in the same Ship with you, to sink and perish, or to come safe to Land with you, and that in the most doubtful and difficult times.—Pleading your Cause, Justifying your Wars, satisfying many that scrupled; and when your Affairs were at lowest, and the Chance of War against ye, and some of the Grandees and Favorites of these times were packing up, and ready to be gone; I was then Highest, and m •… st Zealous for ye: Preaching, Praying, stirring up the People to stand for ye▪ by going out in Person, lending of Money, &c. Edwards Gangraena. Ep. Ded,

Notes upon §. 10.

AFTER these Proofs and Declarations of the Ministers Zeal and Industry, for the promoting, supporting, and carrying on of the late Bloody, Impious, and Unnatural War, let not any man take upon him any longer to acquit the Nonconformist Divines of the Guilt and Consequences of that Execrable Rebellion. You have here under their hands, and from their own tongues, not only a Confession of the Fact, but a Valuing of themselves (even to the degree of Vanity and Ostentation) for what they did toward the Advancing of that Sedition, as a most Meritorious Service. Nay, they do not stick to acknowledge that the War could hardly have proceeded without them. There's no evading or qualifying the dint of this Charge, since we have their own Papers in Iudgment against them.

§. 11. The War Iustified.

(1) LET us set hand and heart, and shoulder and all, to advance the Lords Sion to a perfection of beauty, and to set up Christ upon his Throne. Whites Centuries. Pref. 1643.

(2) Did ever any Parliament in England lay the Cause of Christ and Religion to heart, as this hath done?—Did ever the City of London, the rest of the Tribes, and the Godly Party throughout the Land, so willingly exhaust themselves that Christ might be set up? Marshal to the Commons, 1643. p. 19. And then let all England cry that our Blood, our Poverty, &c. are abundantly repaid in this, that there is such a Concurrence to set up the Lord Christ upon his Throne, to be Lord and Christ over this our Israel. p. 20.

(3) As the Spirit of the Lord came upon Sampson, and Iephta •… , and David, so hath it been in our Conflicts: The Spirit of the Lord hath come upon our Noble General, and all our Commanders: The Spirit of the Lord hath come upon our Gallants. Gentlemen, Young men, Faithful Country-men, Renowned Citizens: So that he that was we •… k among them is as David▪ and he that was as David, hath been as the Angel of the Lord. Case to the Commons, 1644. p. 28.

(4) Tell them from the Holy Ghost (says Beech) from the word of Truth, that their Destruction shall be terrible, it shall be timely, it shall b •… total. Serm. Licensed by Mr. Cranferd, 1645 p. 1 •… . And ibid. O give th •… nks unto the Lord, for he is Gracious, and his Mercy endur •… th for ever; who remembred us at 〈◊〉 , for his Mercy endureth for ever; who remembred us in 〈◊〉 shi •… e, for his mercy endureth for ever: who remembred us at Leicester, for his Mercy, &c. who remembred us at Taunt •… n, for his Mercy, &c. who remembred us at Bristol, for his Mercy, &c. p. 9.

(5) As Sampson with the Philistims, so let us die with Babylon; if we cannot out-live Anti Christ, and the Enemies of Reformation, let us adventure our selves to death in the Cause, yea l •… t us take h •… ld of the Pillars of the Church of Dagon, of the Temple of Anti-Christ, and say, Now let me die with Anti-christ, Rome and Babylon. Bond 1644. p. 59.

(6) God hath put you in his own Place, God hath grac'd you with his own Name, Lord of Hosts, General of Armies; God hath committed to your care what is most precious to himself, precious Gospel, precious Ordinances, a precious Parliament, a precious People; God hath called forth your Excellency as a choice Worthy to be a General, and the Champion of Iesus Christ, to fight the great and last Battel with Anti-christ in this your Native Kingdom. Palmer to the E. of Essex, 1644. Ep. Ded.

(7) Whether the Stupendious Providences of God manifested among us in the Destruction of the late King, and his Adherents, in so many pitcht Battels, and in this Nations Universal forsaking of Charles Stuart, and the total Overthrow of him, and his Army; whether by these Providences, God hath not plainly removed the Government of Charles Stuart, and bestowed it upon others, as ever he removed and bestowed any Government by any Providence in any Age? Whether a Refusal to yield Obedience and Subjection to this present Government be not a refusal to acquiesce in the Wise and Righteous pleasure of God, and a flat breach of the Fifth Commandment? W. Ienkins's Conscientious Quaeries, 1651. p. 2.

(8) The Pren •… ices and Porters were stimulated, and stir'd up by God's Providence; thousands of them to Petition the Parliament for speedy Relief. Palmer to the E. of Essex, 1644. Ep. Ded.

(9) Remember how far I have gone with ye in the War: And shall I be affraid of my old most Intimate Friends? Bax. Holy Com. Pref. to the Army.

(10) If I had known that the Parliament had been the Beginners, and in most fault, yet the Ruin of our Trustees, and Representatives, so of all the Security of the Nation▪ is a Punishment greater than any fault of theirs against the King can from him deserve; and their faults cannot disoblige me from defending the Common-wealth. Ho. Com. p. 48 •… .

(11) If the King Venture into Battel, and hazard his Person, we are sorry for it; and he hath been most humbly requested by the Honourable Houses of Parliament not to expose his Royal Person unto such extremities. But i •… his Evil Council prevail more with him, than the good Advice of the Parliament, we wash our hands in Innocency, and plead Not Guilty of any Evil that may befall his Majesties Person in the like occasions. In the mean while we must not forbear to defend our Religion and Liberties against our Bloody Enemies, but go on couragiously, and play the Men to fight for our People, and for the Cities of our God. 2 Sam. •… 0. & 12. The Covenanters Catechisms, 1644. p. 26.

(12) I think I have not read of many Assemblies o •… Worthi •… r men since the Apostles days. Bax. Answer to Dr. S •… llingfleet. p. 84.

(13) Phinehas executes Justice upon great ones, and what follow'd? a Commotion? No, G •… d's w •… ath was •… urn'd away, and a Covenant of Peace made. Greenhil. April 26. 1643. p. 37.

(14) This is a time wherein we should all Unite against the Common Enemy that seeks to devour us all. Calamy to the Commons. Decemb. 25. 1644. p. 36.

Notes on §. 11.

IT is no wonder, after the foundation of a War so fairly laid, to see the Peaceable Preachers of the Gospel (as they call themselves) well •… nough satisfied to reap the fruits of their own labours: Nor could any other be expected, then that the Seeds of so Pestilent a Sedition should quickly grow up into a rank Rebellion. The best that can be said for them, is, that the Broil went farther then they intended; or otherwise, that they were misled into a mistake of the question in hand: But even in this point also, they have left themselves without excuse; for 'tis a clear Case, that their Zeal and Confidence increas'd with their Successes. And all their care was at first for his Majesties Honour and Safety, and to bring him home to his Parliament, out of the hands of Cut-throats and Papists. They were up at every turn, with the Maxim, that the King could do no wrong; and all the blame was laid upon his Ministers. This way of Pretended Tenderness for his Majesties Authority and Person, implys their secret Consciousness of a Legal Duty; only 'twas too early days yet to take off the Masque. Now their judgment upon the Point was the same afterwards, as at first; but as they gather'd Strength they grew Bolder too, and the last Violence was no more than the putting of their first Thoughts in Execution. And whoever observes the method and the scope of their Proceedings, will find their Principles varying with their Fortunes; and the deepest Professors of Veneration for the Dignity of the King, and his Government in the Beginning prove the most daring Insulters upon his Imperial Regalities and Honour in the Conclusion. But to the next Section.

§. 12. Reformation by Blood.

1. •… Have often thought that too much Mercy towards Malignants hath made more Delinquents than ever Iustice hath Punished. Mercy should not weigh down Iustice. Loves Serm. at Uxoridge, Ian. 30. 1644. p. 26.

(2) Moses bids all the Levites Consecrate their hands to God. What to do? To Kill Three-thousand. (No sewer) of the Idolaters f •… ll that day, &c. How brave a pattern have we here for those that are in Magistracy and Authority? All you Honourable and Beloved, that God hath called to any place of Authority and Trust; Consider but this of Moses here, the meekest man upon the Earth, yet what a Pattern is he to you herein? How excellent a Champion is he for God upon the People? Herle to the Lord Mayor, &c. Lond. 1644. p. 22.

(3) Probably the way to sheath one Sword, were to draw another; and if the Sword of Iustice did more, the Sword of War would do less: The Physitian, by way of Revulsion, stops bleeding by letting blood; and did England bleed enough in the Malignant Vein▪ we have cause to think that other sad Issues of Blood would be stopt and staunched. Staunton to the Lords, Oct. 30. 1644. p. 26.

(4) Iosiah Executed the Justice and Vengeance of God upon the Instruments of the Kingdoms ruin, the Idolatrous Priests; digging the very bones of some of them out of their Graves, the same Lord direct you, &c. Then let not the man Escape, whom God appoints out to Punishment. Marshal to the Commons, Dec. 22. 1642. p. 52, 53.

(5) Let none think it Bloody Divinity, if I say Execution of Judgment is good; Phinehas stood up and Executed Judgment, and so the Plague was staid. Staunton to the Commons, April 24. 1644. p. 28.

(6) How highly were Caleb and Ioshuah esteemed of God for being Couragious, when others flagg'd in the business, and thrunk at evil tydings? Had not Phinehas, the Son of Eleazar, a Covenant of Peace made to him and his Posterity, for being Zealous in Gods Cause among the People? Why should I tell ye of Gideon and Barak, and Sampson, and the rest? In a word▪ Men of this Spirit, are the only Men in God's Book. Gypps. Ass. Div. Nov. 27. 1644. p. 28.

(7) It is somewhat a sad thing to Note, little Justice hath been done upon bloody▪ Traiterous Delinquents, Enemies to God and Man, more than what the Lord himself hath done by the hand of War. It may be that fearful way of Execution hath and will continue till the more desirable Sword of Justice be drawn to purpose, in the cutting off the Incendiaries of our Combustions, the Sons of Belial, whom God hath put into your hand to punish. Hardwick Ass. Di. to the Commons, June 26. 1644. p. 33.

(8) Moses was the meekest man on Earth in his days; a man full of pitty, and yet he hangs up many, very many of the heads of the People against the Sun before the Lord. Staunton Ass. Di. to the Commons, Octob. 30. 1644. p 21.

(9 He is a Cursed Man that with-holds his hand from shedding of blood, or that shall do it fraudulently; that is if he do it as Saul did against the Amalekites, kill some, and save some. If he go not through with the work, he is a Cursed man, when this is to be done upon Moab, the Enemy of Gods Church. Marshal to the Commons. Feb. 23. 1641. p. 9.

(10) If this work be to-Revenge Gods Church against Babylon, he is a Blessed man, that takes and dashes the little ones against the stones, Id. ibid. p. 10.

(11) There is a sad Sentence (1 King. 20. 42.) which he was angry to hear to whom it was pronounced, verse 43. But he found it true to his cost three years aft •… r, when it seems he had altogether forgotten it, (1 King. 22.) Therefore I humbly intreat you to ask Gods consent first, whether he will spare such or such, or pardon them; and if he will not, you must not. Palmer. Ass. Di. June 28. 1643. p. 70.

(12) By Wicked we must understand all known Transgressors and Delinquents against the Law of God and Man; all dangerous Ma •… ants. Shall David give you a list of them in Psalm 101. Or shall 〈◊〉 •… dd somewhat to the Catalogue? (1 King. 2) Hear what he saith, First, an Ambitious, Traterous Favourite; so he took off Adomjah. 2dly. A Rotten Priest; so he Cashe •… r'd Eliathan. 3dly. A Bloody Treacherous Cavalier; so he Executed Ioab. And 4thly. A Railing Malignant; and so he cut off Shimei. Bond. Printed London, 1643. p 7, 8.

(13) Be not wanting to the Execution of Justice; you know there is a Curse pronounced against them that do the work of the Lord, thou it be a bloody work) negligently. Strickland to the Commons, Decemb. 27. 1643. p. 32.

(14) Thou gav'st a Cup into the hand of England, and we drank of it. Then thou carried'st it to Scotland and Ireland, and they drank of it. Now thou hast carried it to Holland; and they are drinking of it. Lord, carry it also to France, to Spain, and to Rome, and let it never be out of some or other of their hands, till they drink and be drunk, and spew, and fall, and never rise any more. Feak at Black- •… yars. S. p. 11. 1653.

(15) I will never believe that this Navy was made on purpose for the breaking of our Neighbours in p •… eces; and there an end. We shall at last joyn together, and do such work for God as was never done in the world. We shall carry the Gospel with our Navy up and down to the Gentiles, and afterward we shall gather home the Iews out of the Isles first; for those are them shall first be called, and the Ships of Tharsis shall do it. Beloved, what this Tharsis is, I have made a little search, but shall enquire further; they i •… seems shall be the first active, and I am sure there are none in such forwardness as ours at pre •… ent. Feak at Christ-church, Aug. 11. 1653.

(16) Blessed be God that you have now put into the Scales of Justice the Archest Prelate of the Land. Bond. Ass. Di. to the Commons. Mar. 27. 1. 44. p. 49.

(17) The hearts of your true Friends are griev'd that so many Delinquents are 〈◊〉 •… d, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but very few of them brought to their Trya •… . When E •… jah had done Execution upon •… aa▪ Priests, there was Rain enough. Salway. October 25. 1643. p. 23.

(18) Cut down the Malignants with the Sword of Justice; Root them out, and Consume them as with Fire, that no root may •… ring again: Let the Mischief fall upon their own heads, that the Land may be eased, which hath a long time, and doth still groan under them as a heavy Curse. Walker. Jan. 29. 1644.

(19) Men wholye under the Guilt of much Innocent Blood, are not meet persons to be at▪ Peace with, till all the Guilt of the Blood be expiated and avenged, either by the Sword of the Law, or Law of the Sword; else a Peace can never be sate nor just. Loves Englands Distemper. p. 42. at Uxbridge Treaty.

(20) The People of England bless their God, that he hath taught your hands to War, and laid the necks of your Enemies under your feet. Love to the Commons, Novemb. 25. 1646. Ep. Ded. to Lord Fairfax.

(21) Go on Couragiously. Never can ye lay out your Blood in such a quarrel. Christ shed all his Blood to save you from H •… ll: Venture all yours to set up him upon his Throne. Marshal's Panegyrick, Jan. 18. 1643. p. 21.

(22) Why should any think that God will give into our hands those Delinquents that are in Arms against the great Judicatory of the Kingdom? If Justice be not done upon those that are in our hands already. Palmer to the Commons, Aug. 13. 1644. p. 48.

(23) You know how Israels sparing the Canaanites, (Iudg. 1. 2.) cost them full dear. Id. p. 49.

(24) Shew not the least Countenance to the Detestable Neutrality that is practised by many. God writes in his Books, write you in yours all Neuters, Enemies. Heyrick, Ass. Di. to the Commons, May 27. 1646. p. 29.

(25) As for Apostates that are false to their Covenant, let not your eye pitty them, let not your hands spare them. Id. p. 30.

(26) Shew your felves a Parliament of Justice; let the World know it; lay the Ax to the root of Delinquency. Greenhil to the Commons, Ap. 26. 1643. p. 34.

(27) Some fear Execution of Justice w •… ll kindle a fire; but Fiat Iustitia & Ruat mundus. Id. p. 37.

(28) What Soldiers heart would not start, deliberately to come into a subdu'd City, and take the little ones upon the Spears point: To take them by the heels, and beat out their Brains against the Wall, What Inhumanity and Barbarousness would this be thought? Yet if this work be to Revenge Gods Church against Babylon, he is a Blessed man that takes and dashes the Little ones against the Stones. Marshal to the Commons, Feb. 23. 41. p. 11, 12.

(29) It was Gideons Answer to the men of Succoth and P •… nuel; When the Lord hath delivered Zeba and Zalmunnah into my hands, Then wi •… l I tear your Flesh with Briars and Thorns of the Wilderness: Then will I beat down your Towers, and slay the men of the City, and accordingly be did it. Such like Doom and Execution shall Politique Neuters receive from the hand of Christ. Id. p. 23.

(30) We have mighty Sins, and mighty Sinners, which make mighty dangers. Greenhill to the Commons, Ap. 26 1643. p. 35.

(31) You are the Supream Court of Justice; let the Sun be dark, and the Sea dry, before your streams do cease flowing. Id. p. 36.

(32) In publique Calamities, the Sacrifice of a Wicked man is a Peace-offering, and may prevent great wrath. Id. p. 37.

(33) 'Tis the Sword, not Disputes nor Treaties that must end this Controversie; wherefore turn your Plow-shares into Swords, and your▪ Pruning Hooks into Spears, to fight the Lords Battels; to avenge the Blood of Saints which hath been spilt. It must be avenged either by us, or upon us. Love at▪ Uxbridge, Jan. 30. 1644. pag. 7.

(34) The Slaying of the Moabites is called the work of the Lord: The Children of Moab are among us. The Lord give us Wisdom to see our way and work. I •… . ibid.

(35) Works of Justice are a part of Gods general design at this time. You cannot but remember the Service of Phinehas, in Executing of Judgment when it was a sad time with Israel, and the double Reward that follow'd it. Bond to the Commons, March 27. 1644. p. 49.

(36) They which stand out this year, I fear not to say they have sin'd this sin, which is to death, which God will not, which men should not pardon; but if your Charity be yet above my Faith——yet your Sence cries loud unto ye, They have shed Innocent Blood, Precious Blood, the Blood of the Sons of God, which God will not, nor you may not Pardon. Heyrick to the Commons, May 27. 1646. pag. 21.

(37) The mouths of your Adversaries are open'd against ye. The hearts of your True Friends are grieved, that so many Delinquents are in Prison, and yet but very few of them brought to their Tryal. I know that your occasions are many and pressing; but I beseech ye, lay hold upon the next opportunity for the doing of it. Remember your late Covenant, when Elijah had done Execution upon Baals Priests there was Rain enough (1 King. 18.) Who knoweth how soon the Lord may bless us with a Holy Peace, and Blessed Reformation, if Justice were more fully Executed? Salway to the Commons, Oct. 25. 1643. p. 20.

(38) I have been in the heat of my zeal so forward to Changes and Ways of Blood, that I fear God will not let me have a hand in the Peaceable Building of his Church, nor to see it; for I have been always taken off when I attempted it. R. Baxter's Letter from Kidderminster to Dr. Hill. Hypocrisie Unveil d, 1662. p. 11.

(39) You Fight for God; you Fight for Iesus Christ; you Fight for the Holy Ghost. A Spiritual Knap-sack for the Parliament Soldiers. p. 67. Num. 43.

(40) Happy shall he be that taketh this Cursed Malignant, and Prelatical Brood, and dasheth him against the stones. Ravillac Redivivus. p. 27.

(41) Honourable Patriots, Christ is gone out with his Triumphing Army, Conquering and to Conquer; and if you want Arms, or Money, or Horse for their accommodation, God is the Great Landlord of Heaven and Earth. Art thou then Gods Tenant, and dost owe him Knight-Service, and Plough-Service, and doth he want thy Horse, and shall not he have it, &c? T •… sdale to the Commons. p. 15.

(42) 'Tis not Disputes nor Treaties must end this Controversie▪ therefore turn your Plough-shares into Swords to fight the Lords Battel, to avenge the Blood of Saints that have been spilt. Leech his Sermon, 1644.

(43) Up and be doing, you that are about the work of the Lord, your Enemies are Bread ready to be eaten, and yield you Refreshment. Ibid.

(44) There is no vertue wherein men resemble the Lord more lively than in executing Justice, and in extirpation of those Achans, you will cut off the Wicked, and procure the felicity of the Chosen. Faircloth on Iosh. 7. •… 5. p. 34.

(45) Worthies of Israel, it lies on you to enquire out this Babylonish Company, and to repay them an Eye for an Eye, Tooth for Tooth, Burning for Burning, Ear for Ear, Liberty for Liberty, and Blood for Blood. Bridges on Revel. 4. 8. p. 10.

(46) After the First-born of Egypt were slain, the Children of Israel were deliver'd, and for the chiefest of these Incendiaries, certainly the Primogenit being taken away, we may well hope for a glorious deliverance. Burton, June 20. 1641. p. 11.

(47) That which is best, though Evil, will be counted good, after Reformation, as he is counted Innocent, who scapes at tryal▪ Simpson on Prov. 8. 15, 16. p. 25.

(48) He who now startles and staggereth, delayeth and refuseth, with the Parliament and their Party, to bear and use Arms against the Prelates, Papists and Atheists, with all the Frie of Antichristian Factors and Panders, is no other than a Rebel and Traytor against God. Boden to the Committee of Kent, Iun. 13. 1644. p. 16.

(49) Posterity may have cause to sit down and curse the day—if we look upon, and dash not in pieces the bones of Babylons Brats, thus boldly and bloodily, contrary to Law & Reason, risen up amongst us and against us, and God's True Religion Professed by us. Ibid. p. 17. [Let all th •… se who are in Authority hence learn to do Justice, and execute Vengeance upon those Babylonians, which God hath put into their hands: Do it speedily, do it throughly: The doing of Justice upon the Wicked, is the way to safeguard the Righteous. Without question the hand of God is upon us, and we lose many in the Field, because we are too merciful to those in the Fold, Ibid. p. 32.]

(50) There is no dallying with God now, much delay hath been used already▪ too much. God is angry, and he seems to ask this once more; Will you strike, will you execute Iudgment, or will ye not? Tell me; for if you will not. I will, I will have the Enemies blood, and yours too, if you will not execute Vengeance upon Delinquents: The day of Vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my Redeemer is come, Isaiah 63. 4. Case to the Commons, 1644. p. 13.

Notes upon §. 12.

HERE are Three and twenty Divines▪ famous in their Generations, blowing the Coal of a Civil War, and heating the furnace seven times better then ordinary; calling, like Horse Leeches, fer BLOOD, BLOOD, and pretending (in a manner) to expiate for that Horrid Rebellion, by so many Consecrated Murders, which are only wrapt up in Scripture Phrases▪ as the Execution of Judgment, Justice running down like a stream, &c. And the Wickedness looks then as if it were Hallow'd, which is no more, in short, then playing the Devil in Gods name, and dedicating the Oblation of Humane Sacrifices to the Everliving God, as to an Insensible Idol. But to what end serves Argument, in the face of so many Pregnant and Undeniable Proofs? It is true, or not, that what I have here recited, is an Authentique Evidence, both for the Words, and for the Authors of them? And if the matter of Fact be honestly reported, let but any man consider, if we follow these Guides, whither they'l carry us at last, and how great a scandal 'tis to Christianity to suffer such Hearts and Hands as these to serve at the Altar.

§. 13. The Murder of the King Encourag'd.

(1) THOSE mine Enemies which would not that I should Reign over them, bring hither and slay them before me▪ Let me see them Executed, KINGS, Rulers, People Conspiring Rebellion against the Lord, and against his Christ. Maynard to the Commons, Octob. 28. 1646. p. 15.

(2) Let us he Active against the KINGS and Prince, of the Earth, those Claws of the cruel Beast. Feak at Black Friers, Sept. 1 •… . 1653.

(3) The Quarrel is not now with us only de Terminis & La •… tibus, touching Bounds or Land-marks, touching Privileges and Liberties; but whether Christ shall Reign over us, or we shall basely y •… ld our Necks under the Yoke of Anti-Christ. Pet. Smith, May 2 •… . 1644. p. 42.

(4) The King is fallen from Faith in thee, and become an Enemy to thy Church. Is it not He that has Sinned and done Evil indeed, but as for these Sheep, what have they done? Let thy hand we pray thee, O Lord our God, be on him, and on his Fathers House; but not on thy People, that they shall be Plagu'd. A Lecturer in Southhampton, Aug. 1643.

(5) Nothing has so much deceived the world as the Name of KING, which is the ground of all Mischiefs, in the Church of Christ. Corb •… , a Lecturer in Glocester-shire, Iuly 1644.

(6) O Lord, if thou wilt not Eless us with a King, Bless us without one. •… arkin a Lecturer in Greenwich, Iune 31. 1 •… 44.

(7) Neither let your eyes spare, though there are Great ones that are Guilty. The Highest Court may reach the Highest Persons. Causes and not Persons are to be heard in your Parliament, Heyrick to the Commons, May 27. 1646. p. 23.

(8) God will make the Sons of Princes bow down unto ye: The Greatest that have Afflicted ye, and Despised ye, shall lye at your feet, Id. p. 31.

(9) If the KING be a Murderer, Adulterer, or an Idolater, he shall suffer according to Gods Law; not as a King, but as an Offender. Knox Hist. 392.

(10) When Great Delinquents go unpunished, Divine Providence is brought to the Bar and question'd▪ Greenhill to the Commons▪ April 26. 1643. p. 34.

(11) This Arrow (Prayer) will find a Joynt in Ahabs Armour, (1 King. 22. 34.) Draw this Arrow as Iehu did against Iehoram, with your full strength, and doubt not but it will in Gods time smite our Romish Iehoram at the heart, (2 King. 9. 24.) and sink him in his Chariot and Chair of Pride. Green to the Commons, April 24. 1644. pag. 17.

(12) Oh Right Honourable, take Glorious Resolutions to your selves, though your Fathers may stand before you, and your Brethren and Friends press about you; though your Mother should hang on you, I mean the nearest Relations; throw down the one, and break through the other, and trample upon the third, that your souls may cleave to the ways of God, to the ways of Justice and Righteousness: You know the Rule is, Fiat Iustitia, & Ruat Mundus. Brooks to the Commons, Decemb. 26. 1648. p. 15. Ah Right Honourable, As you would not have your Services thrown as dung in your Faces, look that Justice and Judgment run down as a mighty stream. Ibid. p. 19. [Right Honourable, Guilty Persons that be by you sinfully acquitted, their Sin God will charge upon your account. And therefore, as you would not have the Guilt of other mens sins upon you, hold on in the way of well doing: Let Justice and Judgment run down as mighty streams, Ibid. p. 18.]

(13) Phinehas is the Man that Executes Judgment, a Man unthought of for such a Service. Hence observe, that when God hath work to do, he can find our Work-men. A Phinehas, with Zeal in his heart, and a Iavelin in his hand, to thrust through the Proudest Zimries and Cosbies, the most daring Sinners. Staunton to the Commons, Octob. 30. 1644. p. 9.

(14) When Esther was advanc'd, she would not lose her opportunities; she will in to the King, although contrary to a Law. She will have the Liberty of her People, and Hamans head off, and venture her Life to accomplish it. If I Perish, I Perish. Iosiah, Hezekiah took their opportunities, and made a thorough Reformation in Iudah. You know what great things Elijah did, Inspiciente, & Reluctante Rege. Greenhill to the Commons, April 26. 1643. p. 48.

(15) When the Kings of the Earth have given their Power to the Beast, these Choice Soldiers will be so faithful to the King of Kings, as to oppose the Beast, though Armed with King-like Power. Cheynel to the Commons, May 31. 1643▪ p. 10.

(16 You see the Faithful People make no scruple at all of Fighting against the Beast though their Enemies were like enough to say, that by Fighting against the Beast they did Rebel against their own Kings. Id. Ibid.

(17) Others say, Rebellion against the King is the cause of Judgment upon the Nation; but rather the not Timous Rising to help the Lord and his oppressed People against the Mighty, is the cause. Rutherford to the Lords, June 25. 1645. p. 44.

Notes on §. 13.

WE have now brought ye step by step▪ from the Blind and Pretext of a Reformation, to the Highest pitch of Wickedness; and the Train was both laid and fir'd in the Pulpit. Undutiful thoughts bring forth Seditious words; and those Seditious words are naturally follow'd with Violent and Treasonous actions; and when People come once to be Plung'd into a Rebellion, all other sins (even of the highest magnitude) flow like streams into that Ocean, till at last mens Consciences grow C •… llous and Obdurate, as under a Iudicial Reprobation. It could never be else, (if it may be said without offence to Charity) that so many of the Principal and known Actors in the late Execrable Tragedy, should now wipe their mouths after it, and fall so comfortably to the old work again, without any sort of Reluctancy, or Remorse. But it will be said, perhaps, that it was not so much a thirst after the Blood of their Sovereign that pusht them forward to these Extremities, but that they were forc'd upon desperate Courses by their Interest and Despairs. This would be a sorry excuse (God knows) for Committing one of the most Diabolical and Flagitious Villanies imaginable: Even allowing that they had no other way left them for their security. But alas! you will find in the Next and Last Section, this Plea remov'd; where ye shall see the same Persons that here cry'd, Crucifie him, Crucifie him, Triumphing, and (only for the Malice sake) Exulting in the Contemplation of that Hideous Murder.

§. 14. The Kings Murder Iustifi'd.

(1) IT is now high time (after so long an Interruption of Enemies) for the Parliament, and Army, concurrently to appear to do their duty, not only by Executing Justice upon the Person of the King, and his Adherents, but also in New Modelling and settling such a Frame and Fundamental Constitution of Government in the Kingdom, as God shall put into their hearts, to be most Convenient and Useful for the welfare and safety of the People. Little Benjamin. Licensed by Gilb. Mabbot. p. 11.

(2) Did not this Grand Pretended Father of this Nation, destroy a Multitude of his best Children? And would he not gladly have Slain all the rest upon further opportunity? Was it not high time the Parliament should Execute Judgment upon him? Ibid. p. 12. [The General and his Councel do, and have performed their Duty in all their Proceedings, Concurring with the Parliament, to Execute Justice upon the Grand Delinquent, and also upon some of the Chief of his W •… cked Counsellors and Adherents. Ibid. p. 30.

(3) Hath not the King been a Corrupt Fountain▪ Poysoning every Stream and Rivulet he had access unto? And would he not have done so still, if he had not been cut off? A •… is not Justice Executed, a good means to Establish the Faith of the Land in Rest and Peace, with their Lives, Estates, Laws, Liberties and Privileges, Anciently and Inherently in themselves? Ibid. p. 15.

(4) Shall the Parliament of England be now Blam'd for cutting off that 〈◊〉 of U •… pers, and Tyrants, and Reducing affairs to their first 〈◊〉 and Right Principle? Or will the People of England, after 〈◊〉 Experiences. Center t •… Liberties and Freedoms in a C •… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Succession, and lose their Commonwealth 〈◊〉 Personal Glory of a Young Pretender? The Portraicture 〈◊〉 Kings of England 1650. p. 15.

(5) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no Power but •… s of God. Is not the Late King with his Heirs and S •… is D •… p •… ssed by God? Saunders a •… •… ter to the Judges, March 23. 1 •… 50. p. 24.

(6) God hath been pleased of late to make a sad Breach among us, taking away from us our former Pilot, the late Renew •… d Protector, who when he had fought the Nat •… ons Battels, carried through the Wilderness, preserved us from the 〈◊〉 and Fury of our Enemies, and brought us within sight of the Premised Land, gave up the Ghost laid down his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and his Life together, with whose fall the Nation was 〈◊〉 : His death covered all the Faces of Sob •… and Considerate Persons with Paleness, and their Hearts with Sadness, as if Peace, Prosperity, Reformation, the Gospel, all lay drawing on, and would be buried in the same Grave with him. But blessed be God—ther •… and her 〈◊〉 placed in his room. while he directs the Course, let us till the Sails with our Praying Breath▪ Moses it is true is dead▪ but we have a 〈◊〉 succeeding him: Let as pray that what th •… other happily beg •… n, this may more happily finish, and bring the accomplishment of all your right-br •… d hopes: And what they said to 〈◊〉 , let us say unto his Highness, According as we heark •… unto Moses in all things, so 〈◊〉 we hearken unto thee. Only the Lord thy God be with thee, •… s he was with Moses. Slater's Protectors Pr •… or the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 by a Praying People, Octob. 13. 1658. p. 57▪ 58.

(7) For my part, I have oppos▪d the Tyranny 〈◊〉 the King▪ Love's Speech. Sect. 20 I did, 'tis true, 〈◊〉 is my P •… ce a •… d Calling the 〈◊〉 of the late Kings and were he al •… ve again, and should I live longer, the Ca •… being as th •… it was) I should oppose him longer. Englands •… per, Sect. 14.

(8) As for the Title of this Prince, (who would fain be accounted the Right Heir, let us but remember from whence he had it, and how 'tis now tainted: Were it never so just, the Treason of the Father hath cut off the Son. True Port. p. 39.

(9) Charles the Father is gone to his own Place, and so is Charles the Son likewise; he being in his own proper Nation, Scotland; let us keep him there i •… we be wise, and intend to be happy, & let England disdain to be under the Domination of a Foreign Power for the future. The True Portraiture. p. 42.

(10) If the God of Heaven, the God of Truth, have writ your Names aright, with the Beams of the Noon day Sun in the eyes of all the Nations in the world: You are the Saviours of the Oppressed, the Conquerors of Tyrants, and the Breakers of those Clergical Yoaks, &c. The Beacons Quench'd; Dedicated to the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England, 1652,

(11) There are great and mighty works in hand in this Nation: Tyrants are Punish'd, the Laws of Oppressors are broke, Bloody Revengeful People in War disappointed. I. O. A Thanksgiving Sermon for the Scots defeat at Worcester, Oct. 24. 1651. p. 2. [A Monarchy of some hundred years Continuance, always affecting, and at length wholly degenerated into Tyranny, destroy'd, pull'd down, swallow'd up, Ibid. p. 6.

(12) If any Persons in the world had cause to sing the Song of Moses and the Lamb, we have this day. The Bondage prepar'd for us was both in Spirituals and Temporals. About a Tyrant full of Revenge, and a Discipline full of Persecution hath been our Contest: Whether the Yoke of the one or the other should by the Sword and Violence be put upon our Necks and Consciences is our Controversie, Ibid. p. 7.

(13) He that is Entrusted with the Sword, and dares not do Justice on every one that dares do Injustice, is affraid of the Creature, but makes very bold with the Creator. Owen to the Commons, Jan. 31. 1648. p. 15.

(14) Doubtless never was there any person under Heaven (speaking of the late King) Sentenced with Death upon more Equitable or Just grounds in respect of Guilt and Demerit. Jo. Goodwins Defence of the Sentence passed on the King. p. 91.

(15) Gods Providences, (that is, his permission of Events and Success) are Antecedent Declarations of his Good Will and Approbation. [A Resusal to be subject to this Authority (the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England) under the pretence of upholding the Title of any one upon Earth, is a Refusal to acquiesce in the Wise and Righteous Pleasure of God; such an Opposing of the Government set up by the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth, as none can have Peace, either in acting in, or suffering for. W. Ienkins Petition, Octob. 1651.

(16) If there be any in this Assembly that thinks not this (Union) a sufficient Retribution and Satisfaction for all his Twentieth part, for all his Contributions, for all his Payments and Hazards, I say he is blind; I say his heart is not right with God. Marshal to both Houses, Jan. 18. 1643. p. 20. [All Christendom, except the Malignants in England, do now see that the Question in England is, whether Christ, or Anti-Christ, shall be Lord and King, Ibid. p. 21.]

(17) Q. Whether the whole Kirk of Scotland in their Letters sent to the King at Oxford (as in Mays History) hath not judged the late King Guilty of the Blood of Thousands of his best Subjects—And if so, whether the Laws of God or Man give any Pardon or Dispensation to Kings, more than to others? If not, whether his Judges are not sufficient to justifie it? Valley of Achor. Q. 8. [Q. Whether beside the Guilt of Blood contracted upon himself in the Wars of England, and Scotland, he was not also Guilty of the Blood of Ireland? Ibid. Q. 9.]

(18) No Sober and Impartial Person can Condemn their Position, who denying that a Tyrannous Magistrate was the Minister of God to them for their Good, did plainly assert the Lawfulness of Self-defence, and Holy Reformation, without the Violation of the Ordinance of God. Naphtali. p. 30.

(19.) As he, [The late King] to acquit himself hath not spar'd his Adversaries, to load them with all sorts of blame and accusation, so to him, as in his Books alive, there will be us'd no more Courtship than he uses; but what is properly his own Guilt, not imputed any more to his Evil Councellors (a Ceremony us'd longer by the Parliament than he himself desired) shall be laid here without Circumlocutions at his own door. That they who from the first beginning, or but now of late, by what Unhappiness I know not, are so much affatuated, not with his Person only, but with his palpable faults, and dote upon his Deformities, may have none to blame but their own folly, if they live and dye in such a strucken blindness, as next to that of Sodom, hath not happen'd to any sort of men more gross, or more misleading. Miltons 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Pref.

(20) The People exorbitant and excessive in all their motions, are prone oft-times not to a Riligious only, but to a Civil kind of Idolatry in Idolizing their Kings; though never more mistaken in the Object of their Worship; heretofore being wont to repute for Saints those Faithful and Couragious Barons, who lost their lives in the Field, making glorious War against Tyrants for the Common Liberty, as Simon de Momfort, Earl of Leicester, against Henry the Third. Thomas Plantagenet, Earl of Lancaster, against Edward the Second. But now with a Besotted and Degenerate baseness of spirit, except some few, who yet retain in them the Old English Fortitude, and love of Freedom, and have testifi'd it by their matchless deeds, the rest Embastardiz'd from the ancient Nobleness of their Ancestors, are ready to fall flat and give adoration to the Image and Memory of this Man, who hath offer'd at more fetches to undermine our Liberties, and put Tyranny into an Art, than any Brittish King before him. Ibid. Pref.

(21) Whosoever sheddeth Man's Blood, by Man shall his Blood be shed; we find here no exception. If a King therefore do this, to a King, and that by men also the same shall be done. Ibid. pag. 229.

(22) To have brought the King to Condign Punishment hath not broke the Covenant, but it would have broke the Covenant to have sav'd him from those Judicatories which both Nations declar'd in that Covenant to be Supream against any person whatsoever, Ibid. p. 237.——[God hath testifi'd by all propitious and evident designs, whereby in these latter times he is wont to testifie what pleases him; that such a solemn, and for many Ages unexampled act of due Punishment was no mockery of Justice, but a most grateful and wellpleasing Sacrifice: Neither was it to cover their Perjury as he accuses, but to uncover his Perjury to the Oath of his Coronation. Ibid.

(23) This is the Cause of the Kingdom, the King should have helpt, &c. but did not, then it became the Duty of the Parliament to have relieved the Kingdom, but they did not; her necessities great, and many Petitions concerning them were slighted and burnt, waited many years for help; our Oppressions not removed, all complain dangers encrease, no remedy appears, they not help us, nor tell us how long it will be before this Parliament will be at an end, that we may have another, to see if they will help us; when all falls, no ground of hope of life is left, danger eminent, and no other means of help left, this is a cause of Necessity. Now it's the duty of the Army to help, and if they had not, it had been their sin, if not their overthrow; if they had suffer'd it to Perish, the Kingdom had been well holpen up with a remedy in extremity. An Answer to John Geree, &c. 1649. p. 4.

(24) As to the Blood of the King, I have not in the least any Guilt lying upon me, for I have many a time sought the Lord with tears, to know if I have done amiss in't, but 'twas rather confirm'd that the thing was more of God than of Men. Nine Mens Speeches. Harrison. p. 2. [I go to suffer upon the account of the most glorious Cause that ever was in the world. Ibid. p. 6. Blessed be the Name of God, that I have a Life to lose upon so Glorious and so Honourable an account. p. 10.

(25) I dye, not in the Lord only, but for the Lord, and think not that this Blessed Cause shall be lost; for it shall reach to the end of the Earth. Think not your Prayers lost, for your Prayers and Tears with our Blood shall come down shortly upon Babylon. Mr. Carew's Speech, p. 15.

(26) I cannot Confess any Guilt: It is such a Cause that the Martyrs would gladly come again from Heaven to suffer for, if they might—I look upon it as the most Noble and High act of Justice that our Story can parallel. Nine Mens Speeches, Cook. p. 41.

(27) I Bless Gods Name, he hath engaged me in a Cause not to be Repented of. Scott. Ibid. p. 71.

(28) In all that is past, I could never yet suffer so much as a wish to pass through my thoughts, Oh that I had not been engaged in this thing! Or that I had before Forty-eight deserted this Cause! Barkstead to a Friend. Three Mens Speeches.

(29) I do believe, at long-run there is not a man that Fears the Lord will have any reason to be sorrowful for engaging in that Good Old Cause, which I am now to Seal with my Blood again, as I have many a time done. I am satisfied in my soul, that it is a most Just and Glorious Cause, &c. Three Mens Speeches. Coll. Okey.

(30) As it is unquestionably lawful on serious and real grounds to Depose and do Justice on Kings and Princes, as other Magistrates, so never was there a greater and more Universal Concurrence of all Reasons and Circumstances, and a greater harmony of the Laws of Nature, Reason, Prudence, and Necessity to warrant any act then was found, and may be discerned in that act of Justice upon the late King. English Translation of the Scot Declaration, 1650. p. 18.

Notes on §. 14.

I Shall now briefly and plainly sum up the whole matter, and leave it with the Reader to consider of.

You have in the First Section a full and unanimous Testimony of the Presbyterians against Toleration; nay against any sort of Toleration, either in Doctrine or in Discipline, and in what Degree or Measure soever, as a thing utterly Impious, and therefore Insufferable. This, me-thinks, should be sufficient to stop the mouth of a Presbyterian, when he demands a Toleration; that he himself pronounces it a wicked thing to grant it.

In the Second Section, he sets forth the Fruits and Consequences of it to be not only the certain Destruction of Church and State, but an Inlet to Licentious Prostitution of Manners, and the most Blasphemous of Herefies. With what forehead now shall a Presbyterian desire that Liberty from the Government, which he declares in his own Conscience will be the Ruin and Damuation of the Allowers of it?

In the Third Section, the Dissenters do not only make it a matter of Conscience, to disagree among themselves, but fall even to Cutting of Throats upon the very Question. What is the meaning then of their pressing for a Union among men of so many several Persuasions not to be United? And what do they talk of Brotherly Love, and Agreement for, among men of Principles as Inconsistent as fire and water?

In the Fourth Section you may observe the Rude and Implacable Animosities of the Dissenters toward the Ecclesiastical State, where they declare themselves tyed in Conscience to do their utmost endeavours towards the overthrowing of it. What would you think of half a dozen good Fellows that should come to the Ma •… er of a House, and tell him, Sir, We are very Uneasie on the wrong side of the door, you'l do us a great favour to let us into your 〈◊〉 , that we may Rifle ye, and cut your Throat for your pains. Is it not the same thing 〈◊〉 a Phanatique to make the same Proposition to the Church, when they declare before hand that they will destroy it if they can?

And the Case of the Civil Government in the Fifth Section holds exactly with the former of the Ecclesiastical; for Kings are to be pull'd down as well as Bishops, for the Establishing of Christ upon his Throne.

The Covenant ye see in the Sixth Section, is an Oath of Conspiracy, set up against an Oath of Allegeance: And on the other hand, an Oath (if I may say so) of Anti-Canonical Obedience. By this Oath, the Presbyterians reckon themselves Indispensably bound to oppose the King and the Church. Would they have the King now to Indulge any man without renouncing that Covenant, by which, every Unrenouncer accounts himself oblig'd to Depose his Majesty?

In the Seventh Section is set forth in few words, the Inexorable Rigour of all sorts of Dissenters toward the Episcopal Party. With what Equity now can these several Schisms make it a point of Conscience in the Government to grant them a Common Indulgence, who both joyntly and severally agreed in the giving no Quarter to those of the Religion Establish'd?

The Eighth Section advances the Authority of the Kirk to a more absolute Degree of Sovereignty over King and People, than ever the Papacy it self pretended; and supported upon the same Pretensions too; so that to demand a Toleration of the Presbyterial Government, is only to desire his Majesty that he will d'off his Imperial Crown, and strike to the Consistory.

In the Ninth Section lies fairly expos'd the hazard of abating any thing in the strictness of Ecclesiastical Discipline, in regard of the Principles and Positions of these People, even if the Men themselves were honestly inclin'd. Take notice of the Positions, and never doubt it, but Men of Deposing Principles will proceed (if they have opportunity) to Deposing Actions; and reckon that they do God and their Country good Service too: Especially when it seems no more to them than the placing of Authority upon the right Foundation.

In the Tenth Section you will find the Operation of the former Principles in the Animating, Pressing, and Irritating of the People to Commotions and Tumults, and still the Dissenting Divines in the Head of the Controversie; and the Pulpits and Presses the Fountains of our Calamities. Never did any People speak fairer at first, or do fouler things at last, then those pretended Peaceable Ministers of the Gospel: And had they but come into the World time enough, Boccalini would never have drawn his Intelligence from New-Spain of the Shepherds Dogs being all turn'd into Wolves, when he might have found so much a more lively instance nearer home of those that were set to Guard and Defend the Sheep, transform'd into the Merciless Devourers of them.

In the Eleventh Section you will find a Rebellion Justifi'd, by the same lips that had call'd God a thousand times over, to witness the Integrity of their hearts, and the Loyalty of their intentions: And with Imprecations also, not to be mention'd without trembling. Iudge what Credit now is to be given to the fair Professions of this sort of People.

In the Twelfth Section you would take these Godly Ministers (as they style themselves) to be Members rather of a Corporation of Common Executioners, then of an Assembly of Divines, by their Outragious and Insatiable Thirst of Blood; and yet th •… se practices are recommended to the multitude, as the Inspirations and Duties of the Gospel.

And it is not Common Blood will serve their turns neither; nor any thing less than the Sacred Life of their Sovereign, to appease their Holy Wrath (Section 13.) and to Attone for the sins of the Nation.

And in the Last Section, (as if it were to put themselves beyond the Possibility of Repentance, and to Preclude the ordinary course even of God's Boundless Mercies) they pass an Approbation upon the whole Tract of their proceedings, and ascribe to Almighty God, one of the most execrable acts of Cruelty and Injustice that ever was committed upon the face of the Earth, since the Crucifixion of his Blessed and only Son. New as to the Contrivers, the Principal Actors and Asserters of this Unexampled Wickedness, what clearer Evidence can ye desire then what is here deliver'd unto ye in their own Words and Writings?

THE END.